"What are you talking about ?" The man smiled.

"Of course, it's all right to know nothing about it, and it's just what we would advise; but I assure you we are thoroughly posted in your affair, and to let you know that we are, I'll just mention that the case is that of Croft after Keswick, through Candy." "Stuff and nonsense!" exclaimed Lawrence, getting red in the face.
"There is no such case!" He was about to say more, when a few words from the anti-detective stopped him suddenly.
"Look here, Mr Keswick," said the man, leveling a long fore-finger at him, and speaking very earnestly, "don't you go and flatter yourself that this thing has been dropped, because you haven't heard of it for a month or two; and if you'll take my advice, you'll make up your mind on the spot, either to let things go on and be nabbed, or to put yourself under our protection, and live in entire safety until this thing has blown over, without any trouble, except a little travelling." At the mention of Keswick's name, Lawrence had seen through the whole affair at a single mental glance.

The man was after Junius Keswick, and his business was to Lawrence more startling and repugnant than it could possibly be to any one else.

It was necessary to be very careful.

If he immediately avowed who he was, the man might yet find Keswick, before warning and explanation could be got to him, and not only put that gentleman in a very unpleasant state of mind, but do a lot of mischief besides.