"Yes, and no wonder. He was talking to a black-looking ruffian who
bothers me."

"Bothers you?"

"Yes, I know I've seen him before, and I can't make out where."

"Was it at the steeplechase?" said Richard, quietly.

"You've hit it, Dick," cried Pratt. "That's the man. Why weren't you
called to the bar? But I say, why did you name him? You know
something--you've seen them together."

"I have."

"Um!" said Pratt, looking hard at his friend. "Then what does it mean?"

"Can't say," said Richard, quietly--"only that it don't concern us."

"I don't know that," said Pratt; "it may, and strongly. But tell me
this, how long have you been in town?"

"A fortnight."

"A fortnight, and not been here!"

"I have been three times," said Richard, "and you were always out."

"How provoking! But you might have written. The fact is, Dick, I'm
busy. All that work that was held back from me for so long is coming
now. I was a bit lucky with my first case."

Which was a fact, for he had carried it through in triumph, and
solicitors were sending in briefs.

"I have been busy, too--making up my mind what to do."

"Then look here, Dick, old fellow. I'm getting a banking account--do
you hear? a banking account--and if you don't come to me whenever you
want funds, we are friends no more."

"Franky," said Richard, huskily, "I knew you were a friend, or I should
not have come to your chambers for the fourth time. But what did you
mean about Vanleigh's affairs concerning us?"

"Well, only that they may. You know they are in town, of course?"

"Why, yes; I met Van the other day. Flick is sure to be near him."

"Yes, as long as Flicky has any money to spare--afterwards Van will be
out. But I mean them."

"Whom?" said Richard, starting. "Our Tolcarne friends--Russell Square,
you know," said Pratt, reddening slightly.

"No," said Richard, hoarsely, "I did not know it."

"Yes, they have been up a week."

"How did you know it?"

"Well," said Pratt, reddening a little more, "I--that is--well, there, I
walked past the house, and saw them at the window."

"You've watched it, then, Franky?" said Richard, quietly.

"Well, yes, if you like to call it so; and I've seen Van and Flick go
there twice. How did they know that you had--well, come to grief?"

Richard shook his head.

"I'll tell you. Depend upon it, that amiable spinster aunt, who loved
you like poison, sent them word, and also of their return to to