“The brother, young Hexam, was your real recommendation here,” said the Secretary, quietly going back to the point; “ Mr. and Mrs. Boffin happening to know, through Mr. Lightwood, that he was your pupil. Anything that I ask respecting the brother and sister, or either of them, I ask for myself out of my own interest in the subject, and not in my official character, or on Mr. Boffin’s behalf. How I come to be interested, I need not explain. You know the father’s connection with the discovery of Mr. Harmon’s body.”

“Sir,” replied Bradley, very restlessly indeed, “I know all the circumstances of that case.”