"WE ARE ALREADY IN FULL POSSESSION OF ALL WHICH THAT LETTER REVEALS."
"You certainly do surprise me, sir, since I cannot see how you could have obtained the information, which my son alone was in possession of, since he begs in that letter that it may be communicated privately and confidentially to you."
"As a proof, we can tell you his address when he wrote was at Ranger's Ranch, M'Lean Station, Assiniboia, North-West Canada."
"You will have noticed the address at the top of his letter has been cut away; this I did at his request, that you might not at present be informed as to where he is to be found."
"Yes; and we could not help smiling as we observed what had been done."
"But," said Mrs. Sinclair, much agitated, "may I ask how you obtained your information?"
"Certainly," replied Mr. Quinion. "It is now six or seven weeks ago since we received a letter from a person in Canada, who, although giving us his name, has requested that it may not be made known, conveying just such information as the letter you now bring contains."
"Then it would be useless to ask you for the name of your informant?" said Mrs. Sinclair.
"Well, without the writer's permission it would scarcely be honourable on our part to do so."