“You have seen your nephew, I believe?”

“Never.  But—­”

“That man,” said Lord Wisbeach impassively, “is not your nephew.”

Mrs. Pett thrilled all down her spine.  She had been right.

“But you—­”

“But I pretended to recognise him?  Just so.  For a purpose.  I wanted to make him think that I suspected nothing.”

“Then you think—?”

“Remember what I said to you yesterday.”

“But Skinner—­the butler—­recognised him?”

“Exactly.  It goes to prove that what I said about Skinner was correct.  They are working together.  The thing is self-evident.  Look at it from your point of view.  How simple it is.  This man pretends to an intimate acquaintance with Skinner.  You take that as evidence of Skinner’s honesty.  Skinner recognises this man.  You take that as proof that this man is really your nephew.  The fact that Skinner recognised as Jimmy Crocker a man who is not Jimmy Crocker condemns him.”

“But why did you—?”

“I told you that I pretended to accept this man as the real Jimmy Crocker for a purpose.  At present there is nothing that you can do.  Mere impersonation is not a crime.  If I had exposed him when we met, you would have gained nothing beyond driving him from the house.  Whereas, if we wait, if we pretend to suspect nothing, we shall undoubtedly catch him red-handed in an attempt on your nephew’s invention.”

“You are sure that that is why he has come?”

“What other reason could he have?”

“I thought he might be trying to kidnap Ogden.”

Lord Wisbeach frowned thoughtfully.  He had not taken this consideration into account.

“It is possible,” he said.  “There have been several attempts made, have there not, to kidnap your son?”

“At one time,” said Mrs. Pett proudly, “there was not a child in America who had to be more closely guarded.  Why, the kidnappers had a special nick-name for Oggie.  They called him the Little Nugget.”

“Of course, then, it is quite possible that that may be the man’s object.  In any case, our course must be the same.  We must watch every move he makes.”  He paused.  “I could help—­pardon my suggesting it—­I could help a great deal more if you were to invite me to live in the house.  You were kind enough to ask me to visit you in the country, but it will be two weeks before you go to the Country, and in those two weeks—­”

“You must come here at once, Lord Wisbeach.  To-night.  To-day.”

“I think that would be the best plan.”

“I cannot tell you how grateful I am for all you are doing.”

“You have been so kind to me, Mrs. Pett,” said Lord Wisbeach with feeling, “that it is surely only right that I should try to make some return.  Let us leave it at this then.  I will come here to-night and will make it my business to watch these two men.  I will go and pack my things and have them sent here.”