There was something so inoffensive in this young man's eccentricity,

that Derrick found it impossible to be affronted; he leant back, filled

his pipe, and smoked in silence for a minute or two; then, driven by the

ardour of his desire, by that longing to talk round about, if not

directly of, his heart's idol, which obsesses--as Reggie would

say--every lover, he said, half-ashamed of his impulse, "Have you been staying long in these parts; do you happen to know a

place about here called Thexford Hall?"

Reggie surveyed him through half-closed eyes for a moment or two; then

he said: "Now, I wonder why you asked that. If you were a friend of the people

there, or had business with them, you would have gone straight to the

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house; instead of which, you come away from them, and ask the first

person you meet if he knows it. You will excuse me if I say that I scent

a mystery, Mr. Green. By the way, let me introduce myself--it's evident

that you have little of the detective in you, or you would have asked me

long ago. My name is Reginald Rex, a name with which you are probably

unacquainted, but which, I trust, will some day be known to the whole

world." He expressed the hope with bland simplicity.

"I am sure I hope it will," said Derrick. "I am sorry to disappoint you,

but there is no mystery in the case. I have come here to see a young

lady----"

"Miss Celia Grant," broke in Reggie, with an air of quiet triumph. "How

did I guess it? My dear fellow, it's as easy as shelling peas! There is

only one young lady at Thexford Hall, and she is the one I have

mentioned. And you want to see her without coming in contact with the

other persons who reside at the Hall. I need not ask if I am right,

because your extremely candid countenance confirms my assertion."

"Upon my word, you're a most amusing young man," said Derrick, biting

his lip to prevent himself from colouring. "But I am bound to admit that

you are quite right."

"Thanks to your candour. I will now place myself at your service," said

Reggie. "The young lady of whom we speak is a friend of mine--Mr. Green,

when I rise in the morning, and return to my virtuous couch at night, I

never fail to thank a beneficent Providence that I can claim her as my

friend. Now, what you wish me to do, though you would rather die than

ask me, is to arrange a meeting between you and Miss Grant. I will do

so, without a moment's hesitation, because of Lavater."




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