Our house was in a badly-lighted part of the street, and it was gloomy enough about it as I drew near, debating in myself what further I could do--sleep I knew I should not until I had news of Maisie.

And in the middle of my speculations a man came out of the corner of a narrow lane that ran from the angle of our house, and touched me on the elbow.

There was a shaft of light just there from a neighbour's window; in it I recognized the man as a fellow named Scott that did odd gardening jobs here and there in the neighbourhood.
"Wisht, Mr.Hugh!" said he, drawing me into the shadows of the lane; "I've been waiting your coming; there's a word I have for you--between ourselves." "Well ?" said I.
"I hear you're promising ten pounds--cash on the spot--to the man that can give you some news of your young lady ?" he went on eagerly.

"Is it right, now ?" "Can you ?" I asked.

"For if you can, you'll soon see that it's right." "You'd be reasonable about it ?" he urged, again taking the liberty to grip my arm.