I remember the circumstance particularly, because he had said nothing about his going, and from the manner of his return and his hasty departure it is quite clear that he had not expected to leave so soon himself." I was a little staggered.

It seemed hard luck to have so nearly succeeded in my search, only to have failed at the last moment.

It was maddening, too, to think that for all these hours I had been in the same hotel as the man whom I so greatly desired to find! "Tell me, did he leave any address ?" I asked.
"None whatever, sir," the man answered.

"Our junior clerk here asked him where he would wish letters to be forwarded, and he replied that there would not be any.

I think he said that he was leaving for abroad almost at once, but would call before he sailed in case there were any letters or messages for him." "Tell me under what name he stayed here ?" I asked.
"Mr.Vanderpoel," the man told me.
"He was quite alone, I suppose ?" I asked.
"Absolutely," the man answered.