The reply was inaudible, but was evidently satisfactory to Hobson, for, as he opened the door, there was a leer of triumph on his face.  He glanced suspiciously about the hall, and, on reaching the door, turned to Mrs. LaGrange, who had accompanied him, saying, in his smoothest tones,-

“I shall be out again in two or three days.  Should you wish to see me before that time, you can telephone to my office or send me word.”

She bowed silently and he took his departure, but as she returned to her room, she exclaimed, fiercely, “Craven!  Let me but once get my rights secured, and he will find whether I stand in fear of him!”

Having taken leave of Mrs. LaGrange, Hobson carefully avoided the front part of the house and grounds, taking instead the gravelled walk leading through the grove towards the lake in the rear and out upon the side street.  As he was hurrying along this rather secluded avenue, he was suddenly confronted by Scott.  Although strangers to each other, Hobson instantly conjectured that this must be the secretary who had betrayed such familiarity with the correspondence which had passed between himself and Hugh Mainwaring, and that it might be to his own interest to form the acquaintance of the young man.

Quick as thought he drew from his pocket a card, and, pausing suddenly in his rapid walk, said, with a profound bow,-

“I beg pardon; I cannot be mistaken; have I not the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scott?”

“That is my name,” replied the secretary, coldly.

“I beg you will accept this card; and allow me to suggest that you may find it conducive to your interests to call upon me at the address named, if you will take the trouble to do so.”

Scott glanced from the card to the speaker, regarding the latter with close scrutiny.  “You seem very solicitous of the interests of a stranger, as it is not to be presumed that you have any ulterior motive in making this suggestion.”

Hobson appeared to ignore the sarcasm.  “It is barely possible,” he continued, in his most ingratiating tones, “that I may be in possession of facts which it would be to your advantage to learn.”

“In case you are, I suppose, of course, you would impart them to me simply out of pure disinterestedness, without a thought of pecuniary compensation?”

Hobson winced and glanced nervously about him.  “I must hasten,” he said; “I cannot stop for explanations; but you will find me in my office at two o’clock to-morrow, if you care to call.  Meantime, my young friend, I am not perhaps as mercenary as you think, and I may be able to be of great assistance to you,” and with a final bow, the man hastily disappeared around a turn of the winding walk.