“I thought that was all over and done with,” he protested. “No one but a couple of girls could have hatched such a plot. I presumed you were not going to make any further suggestions of the sort seriously?”
I have never been quite sure whether I had intended to or not. At any rate, his words and expression then convinced me of the utter hopelessness of such an attempt. The train drew up, and he placed me in an empty carriage. He spoke to the guard and then followed me in. The door was locked. Olive Berdenstein walked slowly by and looked into our compartment. I believe she had meant to travel to London with us, but if so her design was frustrated. For the present, at any rate, we were safe from her.
Upon our arrival we took a hansom and drove straight to Victoria Street. My mother was out. We waited impatiently for several hours. She did not return till dusk. Then I told her everything. As she listened to me her face grew white and anxious.
“You know him better than any one else in the world,” I cried. “You alone can solve the mystery of his second life. In this letter he speaks of it. Whatever it may be, he has gone back to it now. I want to find him. I must find him. Can’t you suggest something that may help me? If you were not in his whole confidence, at least you must have some idea about it.”
She shook her head sadly and doubtfully.
“I only knew,” she said, “that there was a second life. I knew that it was there, but I had no knowledge of it. If I could help you I would not hesitate for a single moment.”
Then, like an inspiration, there flashed into my mind the thought of that man’s face whom I had met in the East End of this great city. They had persuaded me into a sort of half belief that I had been mistaken. They were wrong, and I had been right! I remembered his strange apparel and his stern avoidance of me. I had no more doubts. Somewhere in those regions lay that second life of his. I sprang to my feet.
“I know where he is,” I cried. “Come!”
They both followed me from the house, and at my bidding Bruce called for a cab. On the way I told them what had become my conviction. When I had finished my mother looked up thoughtfully.
“I do not know,” she said. “Of course, it may be no good, but let us try Colville Hall. It is quite close to the place where you say you saw him.”