CHAPTER XII.
A FRIENDLY COUNSELLOR.
Gilbert Fenton called several times in the Temple without being able to see John Saltram; a slip of paper pasted on the outer door of that gentleman's chamber informed the public that he was "out of town," and that was all.

Gilbert took the trouble to penetrate the domicile of the laundress who officiated in Mr.Saltram's chambers, in order to obtain some more particular information as to her employer's movements, and after infinite difficulty succeeded in finding that industrious matron in the remote obscurity of a narrow court near the river.

But the laundress could tell Mr.Fenton very little.

She did not know whither Mr.Saltram had gone, or when he was likely to return.

He was one of the most uncertingest gentlemen she had to do for; and he had been out of town a great deal lately; which was not to be wondered at, considering the trying hot weather, when it was not to be supposed that gentlefolks as was free to do what they pleased would stay in London.