Here they found Herbert in his father's room with an apology. "I have to take the place of my father to-day, Mr. Fanks," said the young lawyer, who looked ill, "he is not well, and deputed me to see after this matter."
"Touching the advertisement?" said Fanks, eagerly.
"Yes. A man turned up this morning in answer to it. He is waiting in the next room; and he says that he knows all about the negro you are in search of."
"Good. Let us have him in. You do not mind my friend, Mr. Garth, being present, I hope?"
"Not at all," replied Herbert, coldly; "that lies more in your hands than mine. Show in that man who came about the advertisement," he added to a clerk who entered.
The gentleman in question entered. A dried-up little man, brisk and keen-eyed, with a horsey look about him. He glanced sharply at the three men, pulled his forelock, and proceeded to ask about the reward.
"I want thirty puns," he said, calmly.
"Oh, no, you don't," retorted Fanks, "you want ten or twenty. The two rewards are separate; you must not add them together."
"But I can tell of the whereabouts of this negro; and I can tell his movements. I know all about him, so I ought to get both rewards."
"You'll get either the ten or the twenty," said Fanks. "Now no more talk; what is your name?"