"'What was her name?'
"'I never heard it. I only know that he called her Louisa. I think I should recognise her if I saw her again. She was a red-faced, light-haired, strapping wench, about eighteen years of age.'
"'Should you recognise Ossington's signature--and your own--and the document to which they were attached?'
"'Most decidedly; under any circumstances, at any time.'
"I thanked him for his frankness, and rose to go. Nicholls stopped me.
"'One moment,' he said. 'Hurley informed us, at the time, of what he has just now told you, and, like him, we have frequently wondered what was the nature of the document he witnessed. As you are evidently aware that such a paper existed once upon a time, you are probably acquainted with its present whereabouts?'
"'I am. It will be produced in due course. When, I promise you, you will see as curious a document as is to be found upon the records.'
"Both Nicholls and Hurley endeavoured to induce me to be more definite. But I was not to be persuaded. Thanking them for the information they had given me, I came away."