The first question that John Dinsmore asked of them, when they met at the restaurant an hour later, was what success they had met with, adding that he could hardly contain himself and control his nerves, his anxiety was so intense.
“Rome was not built in a day, my dear fellow,” responded Ballou, adding: “By this time to-morrow we hope to answer you more satisfactorily.”
“You mean to say that you have found trace of her?” cried John Dinsmore. “Do not keep me in suspense, tell me at once.”
“On or before this time to-morrow, we hope to bring you face to face with your little Jess—mind, I use the word ‘hope.’ That must suffice for the present, my boy,” repeated Ballou.
Just as Dinsmore was about to make a response, his attention was attracted by a young man who had just entered, and who had deposited himself in a seat at an opposite table.
One glance at his face, and John Dinsmore recognized him instantly as Raymond Challoner, his foe of those other days, when they had fought that duel for the favor of fair, false, fickle Queenie Trevalyn.
As Challoner’s eyes met his own, John Dinsmore saw there was no gleam of recognition in them. Raymond Challoner did not know him, and he was quite as well satisfied with this turn of affairs.
Following the direction of their friend’s earnest gaze, both the artist and the reporter beheld Raymond Challoner at the selfsame moment.
“It must be that fate is playing directly into our hands!” whispered Jerry Gaines to Ballou, when John Dinsmore’s attention was directed in another direction.
John had noticed that his two friends recognized Challoner; but, save a meaning half smile, he took no other notice of the other’s near presence, and was glad that they seemed to ignore him.