“Do you know a man named Jesse Powers?” she asked, eagerly. “He is engaged in the store next to Mr. Leonard’s.”
“Never heerd the name afore,” said Will. “What sort of a chap?”
“A large man, with dark complexion, and black hair and whiskers. Rather full-faced, and with prominent nose.”
“My stars!” cried Will, clapping his hand on his knee, with a burst of laughter. “That’s his photograph to a hair. Do I know him? Don’t I? What do you say’s his name?”
“Jesse Powers.”
“J. P., or I don’t know my own name. That’s the identical chap that wrote the letter. Don’t happen to have a scrap of his handwriting?”
“No. For what purpose do you want it?”
“To nail a thief, that’s all. Didn’t I see the very chap in a nest of burglars? What do you know about him?”
“I know that he gave Mr. Elkton the piece of silk which has been the cause of his imprisonment.”
“Better and better. Mr. Elkton won’t blow on him?”