"Oh, yes. Lady Brankworth is a great friend of mine and is always giving parties. There will be no difficulty in my making good my word. The old man seems to be all right and his wife also. Whatever devilry the Hests may be up to, that worthy couple know nothing about it." Scarcely were the words out of his mouth when the door opened quickly and a man entered the room in great haste. Vernon sprang to his feet. "Maunders once more!" He cried; "The very man I wish to see." And Maunders it was, looking like a trapped tiger, furious and despairing. CHAPTER XV. FACE To FACE. Maunders recognised his peril in a moment and immediately turned to retreat. But Vernon was too quick for him and leaped between him and the door. When it was closed and Vernon had his back against it Maunders glanced desperately at the one window of the room. Here Colonel Towton, now on his feet, barred his way, so there was nothing for it but to surrender to a strength he could not fight against. With extraordinary self-control the scamp pulled himself together and demanded in a surly tone what his captors meant by behaving towards him in this way. "Sit down," said Vernon without deigning to reply directly; "you have to explain matters before you leave this room." "I have nothing to explain," muttered Maunders doggedly, but nevertheless judged it wise to obey. "You had better take care what you are about." "I'll take care of myself and of you also," replied Vernon composedly. "I ask you, Colonel Towton, if this is the way for one gentleman to treat another?" demanded the trapped rogue. "Two gentlemen," corrected the Colonel coldly, "who are dealing with a confounded scoundrel." "I'll make you pay for those words," threatened Maunders, biting his lips. "I don't recognise your right to demand satisfaction as I only deal with gentlemen. Mr. Vernon and myself have run you to earth, and----" "How did you find out that I was here?" interrupted Maunders curiously. "We did not expect to find you here," said Vernon, still with his back to the door and keeping a watchful eye on his former friend. "We came down on other business, connected with Mr. Hest." "With Hest?" Maunders appeared perturbed. "What do you know about him?" asked Towton sharply, and noticing the change of expression. "I know nothing, save that he is stopping here." "And how do you come to be in this house?" "That's my business," retorted Maunders doggedly. "Your business is our business," interposed Vernon quietly. "I fail to see that." "You fail to see a good many things; but don't be afraid, I shall make everything clear to you in good time." "Are you here as my old school friend?" said Maunders, whining sentimentally, "or as Nemo, the detective?" "You will soon learn. But of one thing you may be certain, that I am no friend of yours. Can you wonder at it, seeing what I discovered yesterday?" "I can explain everything." "Good! Colonel Towton and I await your explanation."