But he was scarcely prepared for his solicitor's
first words.
"Viner!" said Felpham, whose voice betrayed his excitement. "Is that man
Cave still with you?"
"No!" answered Viner. "Why?"
"Listen carefully," responded Felpham. "In spite of all he asserts, and
his long tale this morning at the police-court, I believe he's a rank
impostor! I've just had another talk with Hyde."
"Well?" demanded Viner.
"Hyde," answered Felpham, "persists that he's not mistaken. He swears
that the man is Nugent Starr. He says there's no doubt of it! And he's
told me of another actor, a man named George Bellingham, who's now
somewhere in London, who can positively identify him as Starr. I'm going
to find Bellingham this afternoon--there's some deep-laid plot in all
this, and that fellow had been cleverly coached in the event of his being
unexpectedly tackled.... Viner!"
"Well--I'm listening carefully," replied Viner.
"Where's this man gone?" demanded Felpham.
"To his hotel, I should think," answered Viner. "He left here just
before one."
"Listen!" said Felpham. "Do you think it would be wise to post New
Scotland Yard on to him--detectives, you know?"
Viner considered swiftly.
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