I drew a breath of relief.
"That will consume some valuable time," I said, musingly.
"Yes, a day to go; another, perhaps, before I find my man. I shall go in person, because I fancy that I shall be able to give something like a correct guess as to the man's ability, if I can have a square look at his face."
I blew a cloud of smoke before my own face to conceal a smile.
"You are a physiognomist, then?"
"Not a radical one; but I believe there is much to be learned by the careful study of the human countenance."
"Give me a test of your ability," I said, jestingly, and drawing my chair nearer to him. "Have I the material in me for a passable detective?"
"My dear sir," he replied, gravely, "if I had not given you credit for some shrewdness, I should hardly have made you, even in a slight degree, my confidante; if you were a detective I think you might be expected to succeed."
"Thanks, doctor; being what I am I can, perhaps, give you the key to this mystery."