had bargained for, and a shadow of apprehension
stole over him. It was by no means his wish that the sharp detective and
the man should come into contact with each other; all he wanted was to
find out where he was at present, _not_ that he should be meddled with.
This he had fully explained in the first instance, and the other had
acquiesced in his curt way.

"You are thinking me uncommon clever, getting on the track of George
Gorton, when nothing on the surface connects him with the man wanted,"
remarked the detective, with professional vanity. "Came upon it
accidentally; as well confess it; don't want to assume more credit than's
due. It was in this way. Evening following your instructions, had to see
managing clerk of Kedge and Reck; was engaged on a little matter for
them. Business over, he asked me if I knew anything of a man named George
Gorton, or Gordon--as I seemed to know something of pretty well
everybody. Having just been asked here about George Gordon, I naturally
connected the two questions together. Inquired of Kimberly _why_ he
suspected his clerk Gorton should be Gordon; Kimberly replied he did not
suspect him, but a gentleman did, who had been there that day. This put
me on Gorton's track."

"And you followed it up?"

"Of course; keeping my own counsel. Took it up in haste, though; no
deliberation; went off to Calne, without first comparing notes with
Gordon's friend the surgeon."

"To Calne!" explained Mr. Carr, while Lord Hartledon turned his head and
took a sharp look at the speaker.

A nod was the only answer. "Got down; thought at first as you do, Mr.
Carr, that man was the same, and was on right track. Went to work in my
own way; was a countryman just come into a snug bit of inheritance,
looking out for a corner of land. Wormed out a bit here and a bit there;
heard this from one, that from another; nearly got an interview with my
Lord Hartledon himself, as candidate for one of his farms."

"Lord Hartledon was not at Calne, I think," interrupted Mr. Carr,
speaking impulsively.

"Know it now; didn't then; and wanted, for own purposes, to get a sight
of him and a word with him. Went to his place: saw a queer old creature
in yellow gauze; saw my lord's wife, too, at a distance; fine woman; got
intimate with butler, named Hedges; got intimate with two or three more;
altogether turned the recent doings of Mr. Gorton inside out."

"Well?" said Mr. Carr, in his surprise.

"Care to hear 'em?" c