"Who has the key?"

"Ah, that's more than I can tell you."

I dared not ask how my questions differed from those of Mr. Blake, nor
indeed touch upon that point in any way. I was chiefly anxious now
to return to New York without delay; so paying my bill I thanked the
landlord, and without waiting for the stage, remounted my horse and
proceeded at once to Putney where I was fortunate enough to catch the
evening train. By five o'clock next morning I was in New York where I
proceeded to carry out my programme by hastening at once to
headquarters and reporting my suspicions regarding the whereabouts of
the Schoenmakers. The information was received with interest and I
had the satisfaction of seeing two men despatched north that very day
with orders to procure the arrest of the two notable villains
wherever found.



CHAPTER VIII

A WORD OVERHEARD


That evening I had a talk with Fanny over the area gate. She came out
when she saw me approach, with her eyes staring and her whole form in
a flutter.

"O," she cried, "such things as I have heard this day!"