"Audrey Thorne," Mr. Meakin searched the back cells of memory. He seemed to have heard the name at some time or other, but for the life of him he could not recall where.
"Guess I'm not wise," he said at last, with a thoughtful shake of his head, while he eyed his visitor shrewdly. "Anyway, if I knew of the lady, tain't up to me to hand information to a stranger—without a name."
The stranger promptly rose from his seat.
"Just so," he said, with a sharp clip of his powerful jaws. "I'll ask you to read this over," he went on, producing a sheet of paper from his pocket, "and say what it'll cost to have it in your news-sheet for a week."
He handed the paper across the desk, and Mr. Meakin admired the bold handwriting in which the advertisement was set out.
"'Will Audie send her address to Box 4926 P. O. Winnipeg? Sign letter in full name.—Leo.'"
Mr. Meakin read it over twice. Then he looked up keenly.
"Guess it'll cost you ten dollars," he said. "Sunday edition two dollars extra. In advance."
The stranger paid out the money without comment and moved towards the door. Then he looked back.
"There'll be no mistake. It's particular," he said deliberately.