The authorities at Magdalen College have been appealed to, and no one of the name of Lessingham was there during any one of your brother's terms." Philippa took the blow well.

She simply stared at her caller in a noncomprehending manner.
"We have also information," he continued gravely, "from Wood Norton Hall--from your mother, in fact, Lady Cranston--that no college friend of your brother, of that name, has ever visited Wood Norton." "Go on," Philippa begged, a little faintly.

"Did I ever live there myself?
Was Richard ever at Magdalen ?" Captain Griffiths proceeded with the air of a man who has a task to finish and intends to do so, regardless of interruptions.
"I have had some conversation with Mr.Lessingham, in the course of which I asked him to explain his method of reaching here, and his last habitation.

He simply fenced with me in the most barefaced fashion.

He practically declined to give me any account of himself." Philippa rose and rang the bell.
"I suppose I must give you some tea," she said, "although you seem to have come here on purpose to make my head ache." "My object in coming here," Captain Griffiths rejoined, a little stiffly, "is to save you some measure of personal annoyance." "Oh, please don't think that I am ungrateful," Philippa begged.