But what of that ?--I have known hundreds of men in my time--aye, and forgotten them! No!--I am not going to fall a victim to this device--it all springs out of curiosity.

As to this last affair--it's all nonsense!" "But--if the man was really poisoned ?" suggested Mary.
"Let the police find the poisoner!" said Ransford, with a grim smile.
"That's their job." Mary said nothing for a moment, and Ransford moved restlessly about the room.
"I don't trust that fellow Bryce," he said suddenly.

"He's up to something.

I don't forget what he said when I bundled him out that morning." "What ?" she asked.
"That he would be a bad enemy," answered Ransford.

"He's posing now as a friend--but a man's never to be so much suspected as when he comes doing what you may call unnecessary acts of friendship.