"That happens to be my name, sir," he replied. "You have the
advantage of me, though. You are not from my old friends Spencer
& Miles, are you?"

"Spencer & Miles," the young man repeated thoughtfully.

"Woollen firm in London Wall," Mr. Coulson added. "I know they
wanted to see me directly I arrived, and they did say something
about sending to the station."

The young man shook his head, and assumed at the same time his
most engaging manner.

"Why, no, sir!" he admitted. "I have no connection with that firm
at all. The fact is I am on the staff of an evening paper. A
friend of mine in Liverpool--a mutual friend, I believe I may
say," he explained--"wired me your description. I understand that
you were acquainted with Mr. Hamilton Fynes?"

Mr. Coulson set down his suitcase for a moment, to light a cigar.

"Well, if I did know the poor fellow just to nod to," he said, "I
don't see that's any reason why I should talk about him to you
newspaper fellows. You'd better get hold of his relations, if you
can find them."

"But, my dear Mr. Coulson," the young man said, "we haven't any
idea where they are to be found, and in the meantime you can't
imagine what reports are in circulation."