On entering the great gates of seventeenth century wrought iron, we found ourselves in a glorious old-world Italian garden, with a wonderful marble fountain, and a good deal of antique statuary, and then driving through the extensive grounds--past a lake--I at last rang the bell.
Quickly the great iron-studded door was opened by an elderly Englishman in livery, to whom I gave my card, and asked to see his master.
The man, without hesitation, ushered me through a huge marble-built hall, with a wonderfully frescoed ceiling, into a large room hung with priceless tapestry, and furnished with old gilt chairs covered with faded green silk damask.
I, however, took very little note of my surroundings, so anxious was I to again meet my host of Stretton Street face to face.
Not long did I have to wait before the door opened, and he stood before me.
"Well, Mr. Garfield?" he asked quietly, as he advanced. "To what do I owe the honour of this visit?"
"Ah!" I cried. "Then you recollect me, I see! You know my name?"
"Yes. It was upon your card," was his quiet reply. "But, forgive me, I do not recollect ever having met you before!"
I held my breath. I tried to speak, but for the moment words failed me, so angry was I at his cleverly pretended ignorance and flat denial.
"Do you seriously mean to say that you have no knowledge of me?" I demanded angrily, looking the millionaire straight in the face.
"Yes, sir," he replied. "I seriously mean what I say. But, tell me," he demanded resentfully, "why are you here to claim acquaintance with me?"
"Do you really deny you have ever seen me before?" I asked, astounded at his barefaced pretence of ignorance.
"Never to my knowledge," replied the sallow-faced man whose countenance I so well recollected.
"Then you forget a certain night not so long ago when I was called into your house in Stretton Street, and you chatted confidentially with me--about your wife and your little son?"
"My dear sir!" he cried. "Whatever do you mean? I have never seen you at Stretton Street; and I have certainly never discussed my wife with you!"
"But you _did_," I asserted. "And there was another matter--a matter about which I must question you--the----"
"Ah! I see!" he interrupted. "You're here to blackmail me--eh? Well--let me hear the worst," and across his rather Oriental face there spread a mocking, half amused smile.