Behind his counter next morning, Will thought over Sherwood's story, and laughed to himself wonderingly.

Not that any freak of his old partner's--of the man whom he had once regarded as, above all, practical and energetic--could now surprise him; but it seemed astonishing that Godfrey should have persuaded a man of solid means, even a Celt, to pledge himself to such an enterprise Was the story true?
Did Milligan really exist?
If any doubt were possible on this point, did it not also throw suspicion on the story of Strangwyn, and the ten thousand pounds?
Will grew serious at the reflection.

He had never conceived a moment's distrust of Sherwood's honesty, nor did his misgiving now take that form; the question which troubled him throughout to-day was--whether Godfrey Sherwood might be a victim of delusions.

Certainly he had a very strange look; that haggard face, those brilliant eyes-- So disquieting was the suspicion that, at dosing time, Will could no longer resist an impulse to betake himself to Morley's Hotel.

Sherwood had said that Milligan was there only for a few days, until the wealthy Irishman could find a furnished house suitable to his needs whilst he remained in London.