‘Just the very man to delight Madame Bâlo. She is a woman of mind. When do you want the letter?’
‘As soon as ever you can oblige me with it. I dare say a line on one of your cards would do as well. I merely wish to ask Madame Bâlo a few questions about a young lady who was once a member of her establishment at Seacomb; supposing that she is identical with the Miss Barlow I have spoken of.’
‘I’ll do what you want at once,’ said Mr. Fisfiz.
He seated himself at the prompter’s table, and wrote on the back of a card, in a neat and minute penmanship,—
‘Dear Madame,—Mr. Clissold, the bearer of this card, is a literary gentleman of some standing, who wishes to make your acquaintance. Any favour you may accord him will also oblige,
‘Yours very truly,
‘R. F.’
‘I think that will be quite enough for Madame Bâlo,’ he said.
Half an hour later Maurice was in a hansom, bowling along the Edgware Road towards Maida Vale.
Here, on the banks of the canal, in a somewhat retired and even picturesque spot, he found the abode of Madame Bâlo, stuccoed and classical as to its external aspect, with a Corinthian portico, which almost extinguished the house to which it belonged.