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176 I liked him from the first. I hope he spoke favourably about me?"

"He didn't speak of you at all," said the Professor. "He listened to eulogies, but said nothing one way or the other. He seemed a glum sort of man."

"Oh, that's Peter. He would think a good deal and say very little. Did they wish him to join Isador's company?"

"No, they wanted him to bring pressure on you, which he absolutely refused to do, with more emphasis than politeness."

Stranleigh laughed.

"There's no doubt of his identity! But I'm interrupting you—go on."

"Before Mackeller came in Isaacstein had been urging the Honourable John Hazel to give him a cordial letter of introduction to you, but Hazel said you never read them and would pay no attention to one if you did. The financier seemed very confident that if Hazel merely put the weapon in his hand, he would use it successfully, and this confident belief Hazel combated, demurring at giving the letter for the double reason that it would do no good and might irritate you and turn you against him."

"Oh, Jack's too sensitive. He was quite right in saying a note would be useless, but wrong in supposing I should take offence. I'd know that the letter had been obtained by pressure, but