"Odd the changes a few years make," rejoined Mr Ratman. "I presume your lordship's memory can carry you back a little time--say twenty years?"
"Merely that if that is so, you probably can remember a lad named Roger Ingleton who lived in this house, son of the old Squire."
There was a dead silence now, and the Duke looked in a startled way at the speaker.
"I see you remember that boy," said the intruder; "and you probably heard the story of my--I mean his quarrel with his father, and also heard of his supposed death. Now, your grace, put twenty years on to that boy, and suppose the story of his death was a myth, then say again you don't remember me."
"What, you mean to say _you_ are young Roger Ingleton?"
Tom gave a whistle, half dismay, half amusement. The doctor smiled contemptuously. The duke bit his lip and gazed stolidly at the speaker.
"You are not obliged to believe me," said the latter jauntily; "only you wanted to know my business in Maxfield, and I have told you. I don't say I'm the heir, for I understand my father was good enough to cut me out of every penny of his estate. And as for being a paragon of virtue, or the opposite, that's my affair and no one else's--eh, your grace?"
His Grace was much disturbed. He had once seen young Roger Ingleton, at that time a mere boy, but retained no distinct memory of him. At the time of the quarrel between father and son he had been abroad, and the news of the lad's death had been formally communicated as a matter beyond question. Recognition, as far as he was concerned, was impossible.
"You choose a strange time, sir," said he, "for coming here with this story, when the heir and his guardians are both away."
"I supposed my brother was here," said Ratman. "In any case he knows who I am; so does your friend the tutor, Dr Brandram."
"Oh, why _do_ you stop talking to that hateful man instead of coming, and enjoying the party?" pleaded Jill.
"Ah, my little lady, is that you?" said Ratman advancing.
But his passage was intercepted by the doctor.
"Gently, my friend," said he. "Now that you have relieved yourself of your pretty story, let me suggest that the easiest way out of this house is by the door."
"I must have changed in twenty years as much as you," said he.