Late in the afternoon of the day following our visit to Liverpool we ascended the big stone steps of my old home and pulled the bell.

After all, I found that my nerves were not quite steady while we were waiting for the door to open.

We had come intending to spend the night there, and my benefactor had given me certain precautions not calculated to make me feel entirely at home.

Was there some deeper plan underlying his suggestion as to this visit than he had chosen to explain?
I had not long to consider that point, however, for suddenly the door opened and a servant in imposing livery confronted us.

I handed him my card and we were shown into the reception room at once.