Knowing the young reporter as we do, we can understand with what acumen he had traced, step by step, the story of Mathilde Stangerson and Jean Roussel.
At Philadelphia he had quickly informed himself as to Arthur William Rance.

There he learned of Rance's act of devotion and the reward he thought himself entitled to for it.

A rumour of his marriage with Mademoiselle Stangerson had once found its way into the drawing-rooms of Philadelphia.

He also learned of Rance's continued attentions to her and his importunities for her hand.

He had taken to drink, he had said, to drown his grief at his unrequited love.