"I heard, only this morning, that Hemming was in town," he said. "We saw a good deal of each other, once, in Porto Rico."
"In Porto Rico?" exclaimed O'Rourke, knitting his brows.
"Yes. Have you ever been there?"
"No, though I've sampled most of the islands. But go on—I interrupted you. I beg your pardon."
"Don't speak of it. I only came for the address of a friend of Hemming's. But perhaps you could tell me in what quarter of the globe Mr. O'Rourke hangs out? He's a literary chap, and maybe you know him."
"Bertram St. Ives O'Rourke?"
"Yes."
"Yes, I know him. He is in town just now, at 206 Washington Square."
"Why, that must be very near here."
"It is," replied O'Rourke, with a strange light in his eyes and a huskiness in his voice.