horse in front of the dingy door of the lodging house. He rushed up the
stairs at speed and threw open the door of the little room. It was
empty.

There was no word to show what his brother had done, whither he had
gone, when he would return. Around the lodgings in Bradwell Street lay a
great and unknown London, with its own secrets, its own hatreds, its own
crimes. A strange feeling of on-coming ill seized upon the heart of Law,
as he stood in the center of the dull little room, now suddenly grown
hateful to him. He dashed his hand upon the table, and stood so, scarce
knowing which way to turn. A foot sounded in the hallway, and he went to
the door. The ancient landlady confronted him. "Where has my brother
gone?" he demanded, fiercely, as she came into view along the
ill-lighted passage-way.

"Gone, good sir?" said she, quaveringly. "Why, how should I know where
he has gone? More quality has been here this morning than ever I saw in
Bradwell Street in all my life. First comes a coach this morning, with
four horses as fine as the king's, and a man atop would turn your
blood, he was that solemn-like, sir. Then your brother was up here
alone, sir, and very still. I will swear he was never out of this room.
Then, but an hour ago, here comes another coach, as big as the first,
and yellower. And out of it steps another fine lord, and he bows to your
brother, and in they get, and off goes the coach. But, God help me, sir!
How should I know which way they went, or what should be their errand?
Methinks it must be some servant come from the royal palace. Sir, be you
two of the nobility? And if you be, why come you here to Bradwell
Street? Sir, I am but a poor woman. If you be not of the nobility, then
you must be either coiners or smugglers. Sir, I am bethought that you
are dangerous guests in my house. I am a poor woman, as you know."