“Why, good heavens! how did you know that?” he cried. “That is all I wanted to know.”
“At present—at present!” said Mr Whittrick, with a smile.
“But I expected days of waiting and anxiety,” cried Charley, eagerly seizing the paper.
“Possibly,” said Mr Whittrick; “but there are times, you see, when we are speedy in our movements.”
“But I am astounded!” cried Charley. “You make me almost to believe in magicians.”
Mr Whittrick smiled deprecatingly and shrugged his shoulders.
“How did you obtain the information?” cried Charley.
“My dear sir,” said Mr Whittrick, “that is my profession. If you go to a doctor and he gives you a prescription which cures you, do you ask him how he discovered his drugs? Of course not. You came to me for assistance, and showed me that you were ready to pay liberally for that assistance, and, of course, I set to work instanter.”
“But is that—are you sure—that Miss—that the young lady is there?”
“Certainly not,” said Mr Whittrick; “some time has passed since then. But I am ready to make affidavit that she was there. Now then, sir, what can I do for you next?”