e, it might
have been that he was in entire ignorance.

But one thing was evident to me. He hated him, and what was more,
feared him. I could see his face quite plainly, and there was no
mistaking the look in his eyes. The conversation I had heard while
lying in that copse in France months before flashed back to my mind,
and I knew that in some way the life of Captain Springfield was linked
to that of Edgecumbe, and that if the truth were known evil forces were
at work. What they were, I could not divine, but that they existed I
had no doubt whatever.

I soon realized, too, that he exercised a great influence over young
Buller. That ruddy-faced, fair-haired young fellow was but as wax in
his hands. There seemed no reason why I should be disturbed at this,
but I was. I was apprehensive of the future.

Another thing struck me, too. In a way, which I could not understand,
he was wearing down Lorna Bolivick's former repugnance to him. As my
readers may remember, she had greatly disliked him at their first
meeting, and had told me in confidence that he made her think of
snakes. Now she listened to him eagerly, and seemed fascinated by his
presence. I had to admit, too, that the fellow talked well, and
although he was anything but an Apollo in appearance, he possessed a
charm of manner which I could not deny.

I must confess that I felt angry at this. In spite of my admiration of
his strength, I disliked him intensely. I was sure he wore a mask, and
that some dark mystery surrounded his life. So angry was I, that I
determined if possible to turn the tables upon him. And so, at the
close of one of his stories, I broke in upon the conversation.

'Yes, Captain Springfield,' I said, 'what you say is quite true. The
quiet heroism shown by fellows whom the world regarded as entirely
commonplace is simply wonderful, and a great deal of it has never come
to light. By the way, you wouldn't have been here to-night but for the
heroism of a man whose action you seem to have forgotten.'

'Is that so?' he asked. 'It is quite possible, although I am not aware
of what you are thinking.'

'Surely you must be aware of it?' I replied.

He looked at me curiously, as though he were in doubt whether I was
friendly disposed towards him.

'I wish you'd tell me exactly what you mean,' he said.

'Surely you are aware of what happened to you, and why you were sent to
hospital, and why you are home on sick leave now?'

'T