"It--concerns him."

"I am all attention, your Lordship." Mr. Gillett's manner was keen,
energetic; if he felt surprise he suppressed it. "Good! your lordship's
business concerns John Steele."

"For reasons that need not be mentioned, I want to find out all I can
about him. That, I believe, is the sort of work you undertake. The terms
for your services can be arranged later. It is unnecessary to say you
will be well paid. I assume you can command competent and trustworthy
help, that you have agents, perhaps, in other countries?"

Mr. Gillett nodded. "If your lordship would give me some idea of the
scope of the inquiry--"

The long fingers opened, then closed tightly.

"In the first place, you are to ascertain where John Steele was before
he came to England; how he got there; what he did. Naturally, if he has
lived in a far-away port you would seek to know the ship that brought
him there; the names of the captain and the crew."

"Your lordship thinks, then, our investigation may lead us to distant
lands?"

"Who can tell?" The nobleman's voice was sharp, querulous. "That is what
you are to find out."

"It shall be done, your Lordship," replied the other quickly. "I shall