“I am so glad,” said the gentleman, “for I am rather in a dilemma.”
“You are not the only traveller in that state, sir,” replied Lucy.
“No, I expect not. The fact is, I want to be in Newhaven as soon as I can, and I wanted, before doing so, to visit a park near here where a balloon descended some short time since.”
“Do you mean Wedwell Park, sir?”
“Yes, that’s it. How far is it from here?”
“Some distance, sir; you would have to take a conveyance.”
“Then I will go on to Newhaven, but, if I am not taking too great a liberty, might I ask if there is any definite news of a man named Falcon?”
“Oh, yes, sir, I can give you the latest information.”
“You can!” repeated her interrogator, with pleasurable astonishment expressed in every feature in his face. “What a bit of luck my meeting you!”
“Perhaps you are a detective?” said Lucy.