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ATTERS were becoming interesting, and there was certainly the promise of drama later, Smith decided, as he walked down the drive of The Grange a few minutes after Dr. Crane had taken his departure.

Why had the medico been so uncommunicative? Why had he not been frank with him, and given some idea of what it was he was up against?

Only once had the man triumphed over the general practitioner, when he had referred to the inevitable damnation of Alfred. Why? Did he know too much, or was what he did know so bad that he was fearful of becoming mixed-up in a scandal?

In any case no man could desire a situation more promising in exciting possibilities.

As he passed through the iron gates, Smith glanced up to see if any portion of his rain-coat still clung to them, as evidence of his unconventional entry; but some one had evidently collected the clues.

Following Willis' instructions, he turned to the left in the direction of the village, conscious of a curious feeling of expectancy.

After the departure of Dr. Crane, and left to his own resources, Smith had decided upon a visit of exploration, with the object of giving the villagers a chance of passing judgment upon his likeness to Alfred Warren. 70