He was going to make another move in his own game, while there was a good chance.

Everything at this juncture was throwing excellent cards into his hand--he would be foolish, he thought, not to play them to advantage.

And so he made straight for Ransford's house, and before he reached it, met Ransford and Mary Bewery, who were crossing the Close from another point, on their way from the railway station, whither Mary had gone especially to meet her guardian.

They were in such deep conversation that Bryce was close upon them before they observed his presence.

When Ransford saw his late assistant, he scowled unconsciously--Bryce, and the interview of the previous afternoon, had been much in his thoughts all day, and he had an uneasy feeling that Bryce was playing some game.