The squire eyed them yearningly a moment, then, turning, was about to proceed on his way when a passer-by jostled him, and, as he was just on the edge of the curb, caused him to lose his balance, when he nearly fell inside the carriage, which was a victoria.
He recovered himself almost immediately, however, and, after brushing the dust from his clothing, passed on, but grumbling over the rudeness and carelessness of him who had caused his discomfort.
Three minutes later Mollie emerged from the store, stepped into her carriage, and gave the order to be driven "home."
As the vehicle drew up before her door and she was about to alight, her foot came in contact with some object upon the floor. Stooping to ascertain what it was, she was greatly surprised to find a gentleman's wallet lying upon the mat just inside the carriage.
"Why, I wonder how this could have come here?" she exclaimed. Upon opening it she found several papers neatly arranged in one pocket and a number of bank-notes of various denominations, together with a slip of paper bearing the name, "A. H. Talford, No. —— Twelfth Street, N. E.," in another.
"Talford!" she repeated thoughtfully.
Where had she heard that name before? she wondered.
"Walker," she said, holding the wallet up for her coachman to see, "do you know anything about this? I have just found it on the floor."
The man thought a moment, and then told her of the elderly gentleman who had admired the horses, and then, making a misstep, had almost fallen into the carriage.
"Ah! Then the wallet must be his. Walker, you may turn around and drive me to No. —— Twelfth Street, N. E.," said Mollie, as she resumed her seat.