“Come up to London,” said Leslie. “Well, that is what we surmised before we applied to you.”
“Exactly, sir; but I have nearly made your surmise a certainty.”
“Yes, nearly,” said Leslie bitterly.
“We must have time, sir. A hunter does not secure his game by rushing at it. He stalks it.”
“Yes,” said Uncle Luke in assent, “and of course you must be certain. This is not a criminal matter.”
“No, sir, of course not,” said the sergeant drily, and with a meaning in his tone which the others did not detect.
“If you are successful in finding their whereabouts, mind that your task ends there. You will give us due notice, and we will see to the rest.”
“Certainly, sir; and I have men on the look-out. The bundle of hay is being pretty well tossed over, and some day I hope to see the shine of the needle among the puzzling dry strands. Good morning.”
“Is that man a humbug, sir, or in earnest?”
“Earnest,” replied Uncle Luke. “He proved that before.”