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Hugh took the arm-chair which Mr Peters indicated Somehow he viewed the , and his face with its broad brow and narrow chin was alular He was a man of considerable personality, without a doubt His voice was high pitched and rather petulant

"Now," he said "I was surprised to learn that you had left your safe asyluton Not only was I surprised--but I confess, I was alar those arrange hiht in the face

"No thanks are needed,as you are free, what matters? But I do not wish you to deliberately run risks which are so easily avoided Why did you leave Abingdon Road?"

"I was advised to do so by a friend"

"Not by Miss Ranscomb, I am sure"

"No, by a Mr Benton, whom I know"

The old man's eyebrows narrowed for a second

"Benton?" he echoed "Charles Benton--is he?"

"Yes As he was a friend of my late father I naturally trust him"

Mr Peters paused

"Oh, naturally," he said a second later "But where are you living now?"

Hugh told hiuest of Mrs Bond of Shapley Manor, whereupon Mr Peters sniffed sharply, and rising, obtained a box of good cigars from a cupboard near the fireplace

"You went there at Benton's suggestion?"

"Yes, I did"

Mr Peters gave a grunt of undisguised dissatisfaction, as he curled hi man before him

"Now, Mr Henfrey," he said at last "I a of your present position, and the great difficulty in which you are to-day placed by the clever roguery of others Will you please describe to ht at the Villa Amette? If I am to assist you further it is necessary for you to tell h paused and looked the stranger straight in the face

"I thought you knew all about it," he said

"I know a little--not all I want to know everything Why did you venture there at all? You did not know the lady It was surely a very unusual hour to pay a call?" said the little man, his shrewd eyes fixed upon his visitor

"Well, Mr Peters, the fact is that my father died in very suspicious circunizant of the truth"