‘I have been frank with you, Monsieur, and have told you that I suspect my nephew. Is not that enough? It is your turn now to tell me what it is you have discovered, that will bear upon our suspicion.’ But the bait did not take. ‘Our suspicion is doubtless the same. I am aware that one does not like to put it into words. May I ask further against which of Mr. Debenham’s friends Madame believes this injustice to have been done?’ ‘Against Mr. Torwood, of course.’ The sudden flash of some emotion, which she could not fathom, passed over the stranger’s face as she uttered the name, and convinced Mrs. Belassis that she had been right in her surmise. ‘Quite so, Madame. It is his old friend Mr. Torwood whom he has injured—the friend to whom he owes so much. Your suspicion is correct.’ ‘Did you know Mr. Torwood once?’ ‘Slightly—yes.’ ‘Do you know where he is now?’ ‘I do.’ A look of triumph gleamed in Mrs. Belassis’ eye. ‘Good,’ she said, with an air of satisfaction. ‘Philip Debenham asserts that he is on board some sailing-vessel upon a sea-voyage. I do not believe he is in any such place. I am convinced that the sea-voyage is simply a blind.’ ‘Madame is again right—perfectly right. Mr. Torwood is not at sea at present. The sea-voyage exists only in the vivid imagination of his friend.’ ‘Ah!’ Mrs. Belassis drew a long breath. ‘Monsieur,’ she said eagerly, ‘tell me, where is Mr. Torwood?’ ‘Madame, you shall know that also in due time. At present, I may not reveal his abode.’ Mrs. Belassis hardly felt this check, in her excitement and triumph. ‘You know where he is, Monsieur? You could lay your hand upon him at any moment?’ ‘At any moment, Madame. When the time comes the man shall come forward. Philip Debenham and Torrington Torwood shall stand face to face.’ ‘May I be there to see!’ breathed Mrs. Belassis; and after a brief pause she added: ‘Is Mr. Torwood in England, then?’ ‘He is.’ ‘He has escaped from the restraints put upon him by _his friend_?’ A curious flash passed over the young man’s face, as he answered steadily: ‘He has.’ Mrs. Belassis would like to have known more, but it was now the stranger’s turn to ask questions. ‘Madame,’ he began, and the tone, although quite respectful, had in it a certain ring of authority, which obliged Mrs. Belassis to be more candid than perhaps she had at first intended, ‘if we are to work together, we must understand one another. I have a motive in what I do. A friend of mine has been wronged, and I am anxious to assist him to his rights again; my motive for what I do is friendship. But you do not know Mr. Torwood. Philip Debenham is your nephew and near neighbour—why is it you are so anxious to disgrace him?’ Mrs. Belassis was somewhat taken aback by this home-thrust; but she was equal to the occasion.