They made such fair speed that, as noon came along, they realized they could reach the little city on the sound. Once or twice Jack had been tempted to turn in to the shore, especially when he saw what looked to be a very pretty plantation, with the house having a red roof, and nestling in among many trees, for the idea had occurred to him that he might just happen on some valuable information concerning the party whom they sought.
But it ended in his determining that on the whole he had better curb his impatience until reaching Beaufort. At the postoffice he might get in touch with some one who knew.
When they pulled in they had eaten a little bite of cold stuff, as it was not their intention to stop to cook anything.
Jack himself set off for the postoffice, to secure what mail awaited them, and at the same time make certain inquiries.
"Can you tell me anything about a certain party named Van Arsdale Spence?" he asked the postmaster, after receiving several letters.
The other looked at him closely.
"He used to live near here," he said, finally.
"Yes, we understood that, and I want to find him very much," Jack went on.
"You passed his old home as you came here, and perhaps you noticed the house in among the trees, the one with the red-tiled roof?"
"Why, of course we did!" Jack exclaimed, "and I was tempted to put in there, to make inquiries, but changed my mind. Then we must turn back, and go there?"