The door was answered with all due alacrity, and a sufficiently
instructive interchange of question and answer on the threshold rewarded
the dexterity of Captain Wragge.
"Does Mr. Huxtable live here?" asked the traveler.
"Yes, sir," was the answer, in a woman's voice.
"Is he at home?"
"Not at home now, sir; but he will be in again at eight to-night."
"I think a young lady called here early in the day, did she not?"
"Yes; a young lady came this afternoon."
"Exactly; I come on the same business. Did she see Mr. Huxtable?"
"No, sir; he has been away all day. The young lady told me she would
come back at eight o'clock."
"Just so. I will call and see Mr. Huxtable at the same time."
"Any name, sir?"
"No; say a gentleman called on theatrical business--that will be enough.
Wait one minute, if you please. I am a stranger in York; will you kindly
tell me which is the way to Coney Street?"
The woman gave the required information, the door closed, and the
stranger hastened away in the direction of Coney Street.
On this occasion Captain Wragge made no attempt to follow him. The
handbill revealed plainly enough that the man's next object was to
complete the necessary arrangements with the local solicitor on the
subject of the promised reward.
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