“I don’t want to send you away from this office in a too optimistic frame of mind; I cannot absolutely promise to get you out of the clutch of these cunning blackmailers, but I’m going to have a devilish good try. It is a most fortunate thing that Shelford has sent you to me, instead of to one of my confrères, for it happens that through my investigations on behalf of another client I know a great deal about all these people which they would be very sorry to have come to light. I think--mind you, I cannot be sure--that what I know will be sufficient to deter them from going any further. Leave it to me. I will arrange with Shelford to allow me to act upon your behalf. When I have got that formal permission, I will see this man Edwards, and throw my bombshell into his camp.” Lord Wraysbury was delighted with the turn of events. “But this is simply wonderful,” he cried. “Do you know something of every one of them?” Grewgus was delighted too, to such an extent that he relaxed his habitual reticence. “Not so much about Edwards, except one very damaging thing, but a good deal about Stormont, Mrs. Edwards, even the smooth-tongued Glenthorne, who, of course, paid you that visit in the interests of his pals. Well, good day, Lord Wraysbury. I shall lose no time, I assure you. I expect to fire my bombshell to-morrow, and after the interview I shall at once let you know what I expect the result will be.” The young nobleman departed in much better spirits than he had entered. Being a very generous fellow, he resolved that if Grewgus did extricate him from his unpleasant position, he should receive a fee that would astonish him. Having conferred with Mr. Shelford over the ’phone, the detective sent a note to the _Hotel Cecil_ addressed to Edwards, in which he told that person he was acting on behalf of Lord Wraysbury in a certain matter and begged the favour of an appointment. The boy who took the letter was to wait for an answer, if Edwards was in. He returned with it. “Dear Sir,” wrote the _débonnaire_ person who belonged to so many respectable clubs,--“In reply to yours, I beg to say that I shall be at your disposal any time between eleven and twelve to-morrow. Yours faithfully, Bertram Edwards.” The detective smiled grimly as he wondered if this elegant crook had any idea of what was in store for him. Hardly. He probably conjectured that the detective was paying him a visit for the purpose of beating him down. Before he went to the _Cecil_, he paid a flying visit to Lydon at his office and told him what had passed between himself and Wraysbury on the previous day. He had no hesitation in doing this, as it had been agreed that he should watch what was going on at Curzon Street on Lydon’s behalf. It was, of course, what they had expected from the day when the young nobleman had attended Mrs. Edwards’ reception.