‘I am Mr. Aylmer,’ he said, ‘but I’ve got out of the way of expecting visitors.’
Something about Mr. Aylmer’s unrestful eye prompted the priest to go straight to the point. If the man’s persecution was only a monomania, he would be the less likely to resent it.
‘I was wondering,’ said Father Brown softly, ‘whether it is quite true that you never expect visitors.’
‘You are right,’ replied his host steadily. ‘I always expect one visitor. And he may be the last.’
‘I hope not,’ said Father Brown, ‘but at least I am relieved to infer that I do not look very like him.’
Mr. Aylmer shook himself with a sort of savage laugh. ‘You certainly do not,’ he said.
‘Mr Aylmer,’ said Father Brown frankly, ‘I apologize for the liberty, but some friends of mine have told me about your trouble, and asked
