We sat there and talked it over, deciding exactly our course of action. At nine o'clock I left her, hunted up the nearest bank and got change for my bill. Then I gave her the amount asked, and we separated, to meet again late that afternoon at the depot. I felt no doubt as to her being there on time. My day was a busy one, as I had to visit my boarding house, buy needful clothing, and arrange for transportation. At the moment specified I called up Vail on the phone, and he responded instantly, the very tone of his voice evidencing the relief he felt at hearing from me.
"Began to think I had skipped with the thousand?" I asked. "Well, I have n't, for the other nine looks too good."
"You are going, then?"
"Sure; all packed, and transportation bought. Best of it is I 've found the right woman to go along with me.
"Good; I didn't know what to do about that—the one I had in mind is out of town. Who is she?"
"Oh, never mind her name; she is all right, a friend of mine."
"Not likely anyone I know. Where are you?"
I told him, and he agreed to send over certain papers to me by messenger. These arrived promptly, and I studied them carefully until nearly train time, getting all the facts firmly implanted in my mind. Then, my heart beating somewhat faster than usual, I took cab to the depot, more deeply interested I fear in again meeting Mrs. Bernard, than in the adventure itself. We met beneath the grim shadow of the train shed.