"Very good, sir."

"You were Mrs. Peterson's servant, Duson, before you were mine!"

"Yes, sir."

"You have been with her, I believe, for many years. You are
doubtless much attached to her!"

"Indeed I am, sir!"

"You may have surmised, Duson, that she has left me. I desire to
ensure your absolute fidelity, so I take you into my confidence to
this extent. Your mistress is in the hands of those who have some
power over her. Her absence is involuntary so far as she is
concerned. It has been a great blow to me. I am prepared to
run all risks to discover her whereabouts. It is late in my life
for adventures, but it is very certain that adventures and dangers
are before us. In accompanying me you will associate yourself with
many risks. Therefore--"

Duson held up his hand.

"I beg, sir," he exclaimed, "that you will not suggest for a moment
my leaving your service on that account. I beg most humbly, sir,
that you will not do me that injustice."

Mr. Sabin paused. His eyes, like lightning, read the other's face.

"It is settled then, Duson," he said. "Kindly pay this cabman, and