"I think not; had he met with such a disappointment I should most surely have heard of it from his own lips."
Interesting as this conversation was to both the speakers it had now come to a natural break, and Jacob Hartrich, diverging from it, inquired whether the Advocate's visit was likely to be a long one.
"I have pledged myself," said the Advocate somewhat wearily, "to remain here for at least three months."
"Rest is a necessary medicine." The Advocate nodded absently. "Pray excuse me while I attend to your affairs. Here are the local and other papers."
He left the room, and returning soon afterwards found the Advocate engaged in the perusal of a newspaper in which he appeared to be deeply interested.
"Your business," said Jacob Hartrich, "will occupy about twenty minutes. There are some trifling formalities to be gone through with respect to signatures and stamps. If you are pressed for time I will send to you at your hotel."
"With your permission I will wait," said the Advocate, laying aside the paper with a thoughtful air.
Jacob Hartrich glanced at the paper, and saw the heading of the column which the Advocate had perused, "The Murder of Madeline the Flower-girl."
"You have been reading the particulars of this shocking deed."
"I have read what is there written."