Chapter 30
Punctual to his appointment that afternoon, the man who had
sought an interview with Francis was shown into the latter’s study
in Clarges Street.
He wore an overcoat over his livery, and directly he entered the
room Francis was struck by his intense pallor. He had been trying
feverishly to assure himself that all that the man required was the
usual sort of help, or assistance into a hospital. Yet there was
something furtive in his visitor’s manner, something which
suggested the bearer of a guilty secret.
“Please tell me what you want as quickly as you can,” Francis
begged. “I am due to start down into the country in a few
minutes.”
“I won’t keep you long, sir,” the man replied. “The matter is
rather a serious one.”
“Are you ill?”
“Yes, sir!”
“You had better sit
