This sort of thing went on day after day without bringing any practical results. Just when Herbert was beginning to tire of it, the thought flashed across his mind that publicity was frequently a way of obtaining things that could not be found by ordinary efforts. In other words, he flew to the personal columns of the daily newspapers for assistance. The result of this was the following advertisement which appeared one morning in the New York Herald:
“Will the stranger who called on David Harkins at Cleverly very late one night about five years ago kindly send his address to H. H., care of General Delivery, Post Office. By doing so he may be the instrument of redeeming the memory of a good man.”
Herbert was very much pleased with the phrasing of this advertisement. There was an air of romance about it that appealed quite strongly to his youthful fancy. The day after its appearance he hurried to the post office with the expectation of receiving a letter, but he was doomed to disappointment. No reply of any kind had been received. On the second day he called at the post office again, and this time was rewarded by the receipt of a very much soiled postal card. The writer informed him that he had called on David Harkins at Cleverly about five years ago and would be glad to meet the person who was in quest of information. The address given was that of a low-grade lodging house on the Bowery. Herbert felt a trifle disappointed at the tone of this communication, but nevertheless resolved to run it out to the end. He visited the Bowery that afternoon, and was received by a short, stout man with a very red nose and a somewhat husky voice.
“You sent me this postal card,” said Herbert, exhibiting the square piece of manila board.
“Yes,” said the other, with a leer, “what is there in it for me if I give you the information you are after?”
“I don’t know that that has anything to do with it,” said Herbert.
“Oh, yes,” retorted the other, with a chuckle, “it has everything to do with it, my young chappie. I’m a business man.”
“A business man?” queried Herbert.
“Yes, sir, a business man. My motto is, no cash no information. That’s plain enough, isn’t it?”
“Too plain,” said Herbert, picking up his hat and starting towards the door.