Yet here he was, exciting mistrust by his secrecy, and leading a hole-and-corner sort of life when, as I have said, there was not the slightest necessity for it.

Little by little I was beginning to derive the impression that the first notion of Mr.Hayle was an erroneous one, and that there was more in him than I supposed.

This sentiment was destined to be strengthened and in the very near future, by two remarkable discoveries.
That evening I again went for a walk.

Feeling fairly confident, however, that the men who had followed me before would do so again, I took certain precautions before I set out.

One of my subordinates, a man remarkable for his strength, was ordered to be at the corner of my street at half-past eight.