I explained that I was an intimate friend who desired to see him immediately upon very important business, and that I had come down from London for that purpose. "Well," replied the short, active little man, "I expected him yesterday, and cannot think why he has not arrived." "You have had some important business dealings with him, Sir Mark, I see from yesterday's paper?" "Yes, very important. He made a statement in Birmingham explaining his discovery." "I suppose it is a most important one?" "Most important. It opens up a new era in the British steel trade and places us in the foremost rank. At this moment no other steel in the world can compete with that from our Meersbrook Works, thanks to the Professor." "You've known him a long time, I presume?" "I've not known him personally very long," was Sir Mark's reply. "He is a man who has kept himself very much to himself. But, of course, as you know, his reputation is worldwide. He is bringing with him his agent, Mr. Kirk." "His agent!" I echoed, astounded. "You know him?" "Of course. I've had several dealings with him. He was with us in Vienna a week or so ago." "And was Greer there also?" "Of course," replied the steel manufacturer. "The contract was arranged there." "And who else was with him?" "No one to my knowledge--except an English lady who lived at the Continental in the Praterstrasse, while we were at the Grand. She seemed to be a friend of the Professor, for one evening he introduced me to her. By the way, her name was very similar to yours, I think-- Holworth or Holford." "That was in Vienna?" I gasped. "Yes. He introduced me in Leidinger's restaurant, in the Karntnerstrasse." "And the lady--what was she like? Young or old?" I inquired breathlessly. "Young," was his answer. And, proceeding, he gave me a perfect description of Mabel! "What was her attitude towards the Professor?" "She appeared to be most eager to protect him from any suspicion of fraud. She seemed to regard me with some misgivings--I know not why. Indeed, the reason of her being in Vienna and mixed up in the business struck me as altogether remarkable, for, truth to tell, I prefer not to deal with the fair sex in matters of pure business. I'm a plain man," he added, with a strong burr in his voice, "and I believe always in straightforward dealing, whether it be in paying a workman a day's wage or carrying out a Government contract." "This is all very interesting to me, Sir Mark," I said, without, however, telling him that the lady in question was my lost wife. "You appear not to have approved of the lady's connection with the sale of the patent?" "I didn't, I frankly tell you," he said. "I told Kirk my mind quite plainly, but he assured me that the lady was a great friend of the Professor."