“It was only a post-office address. I lost no time in writing to him at it.”
“What was the address?”
“It was some London post office. The name of the post office has clean escaped my memory.”
“You wrote to him. And you received no reply?”
“Pardon me. I did receive one.”
“May I ask to what effect?”
“To the effect that the writer was on the eve of departure to New South Wales, and regretting that therefore our further acquaintance must remain in abeyance perhaps for years—also expressing gratification at having been instrumental in my daughter’s escape. It was a courteous and kindly letter. I have heard nothing of him since.”
“Quite so, Dr Ingelow—quite so. Have you still that letter in your possession?”
“No. I have destroyed it, among other old papers.”
“Lately?”