If through a porter or cabman I could learn where they had gone, I might have a chance even now of getting back the stolen treaty.

I had brought with me from London a loaded revolver, warned by the Foreign Secretary that to do so would be a wise precaution; and I was ready to make use of it if necessary.
I was beginning to be very hungry, but that was a detail of no importance, for I had no time to waste in eating.

I went to the railway-station and looked about until I found a porter whose face I had seen when I got out of the train.

He had, in fact, appeared under the window of my compartment, offering himself as a luggage carrier and had been close behind me when my late travelling companion walked by my side.

Questioned, he appeared not to remember; but his wits being sharpened by the gift of a franc, he reflected and recalled not only my features but the features of the little man, whom he described with sufficient accuracy.