There was a brazen smile of triumph on Mr. Paradine's face as he met Paul's eyes with a knowing wink, which the latter did not at all understand. Such audacity astonished him, for he could hardly believe that Paradine, after his perfidious conduct in the billiard-room, could have the clumsy impudence to try to propitiate him now. "Here he is, my boy," shouted Paradine; "here's the scamp who has given us all this trouble! He came into the billiard-room just now and told me who he was, but I would have nothing to do with him of course. Not my business, as I told him at the time. Then--(I think I have the pleasure of seeing Dr. Grimstone? just so) well, then you, sir, arrived--and he made himself scarce. But when I saw him in the act of making a bolt up the area, where he had been taking shelter apparently in the coal-cellar, I thought it was time to interfere, and so I collared him. I have much pleasure in handing him over now to the proper authorities." And, letting Dick go, he advanced towards his brother-in-law, still with the same odd expression of having a secret understanding with him, which made Paul's blood boil. "Stand where you are, sir," said Paul to his son. "No, Dr. Grimstone, allow me--leave him to me for the present, please." "That's much better," whispered Paradine approvingly; "capital. Keep it up, my boy; keep it up! Papa's as quiet as a lamb now. Go on." Then Paul understood; his worthy brother-in-law had not been present at the last transformation and was under a slight misapprehension: he evidently imagined that he had by this last stroke made himself and Dick masters of the situation--it was time to undeceive him. "Have the goodness to leave my house at once, will you!" he said sternly. "You young fool!" said Marmaduke, under his breath, "after all I have done for you, too! Is this your gratitude? You know you can't get on without me. Take care what you're about!" "If you can't see that the tables are turned at last," said Paul slowly, "you're a duller knave than I take you to be." Marmaduke started back with an oath: "It's a trick," he said savagely; "you want to get rid of me." "I certainly intend to," said Paul. "Are you satisfied? Do you want proofs--shall I give them--I did just now in the billiard-room?" Paradine went to Dick and shook him angrily: "You young idiot!" he said, in a furious aside, "why didn't you tell me? What did you let me make a fool of myself like this for, eh?" "I did tell you," muttered Dick, "only you wouldn't listen. It just serves you right!" Marmaduke soon collected himself after this unexpected shock; he tried to shake Paul's hands with an airy geniality. "Only my little joke," he said, laughing; "ha, ha, I thought I should take you in!... Why, I knew it directly.... I've been working for you all the time--but it wouldn't have done to let you see my line." "No," said Paul; "it was not a very straight one, as usual."