“There was something hollow and unsubstantial about him, although he was not much more than thirty years old, if you could judge from his outward appearance, which was not prepossessing.
“I determined, when work was over, to follow this man to his lair and see what he was like at home. The domestic hearth is something like wine. It shows men in their true character. The public-house is not a bad interpreter, but the hearth is the best of all. Work was over at six. At that time the night men came on.
“I afterwards ascertained that the man’s name was John Brown. He walked with a quick step along the street, looking behind him occasionally without seeing anything to arouse his suspicion, and entered a public-house, which was situated about half-way up a small court, whose obscurity must have prevented it from being generally known.
“Standing at the bar was a young man of gentlemanly but dissipated appearance, well dressed, and wearing some jewellery which, if real, must have been expensive. When he perceived Brown, he exclaimed—
“‘Johannes, my man, otherwise John, I am glad to see you.’
“Brown responded by a nod and a grunt.
“I followed, unnoticed by either party, and placed myself in a convenient position for eavesdropping.
“Brown sat down by the side of his acquaintance, said—
“‘Rather later than usual to-day, Mr. Wareham. The bags were rather heavy.’
“‘Never mind that. Have you worked the oracle properly?’ replied Wareham.