Polly--I mean Miss Sparkes--and now I do it quietly. That reminds
me"--his look changed to seriousness--"do you know anyone of the
name of Quodling?"

Polly--to whom he spoke--answered with a dry negative.

"Sure? Try and think if you ever heard your uncle speak of the
name."

The girl's eyes fell as if, for some reason, she felt a momentary
embarrassment. It passed, but in replying she looked away from Mr.
Gammon.

"Quodling? Never heard it--why?"

"Why, there is a man called Quodling who might be your uncle's twin
brother--he looks so like him. I caught sight of him in the City,
and tracked him till I got to know his place of business and his
name. For a minute or two I thought I'd found your uncle; I really
did. Gosh! I said to myself, there's Clover at last! I wonder I
didn't pin him like a bull terrier. But, as you know, I'm
cautious--that's how I've made my fortune, Polly."

Miss Sparkes neither observed the joke nor resented the name; she
was listening with a preoccupied air.

"You'll never find _him_," said Mrs. Bubb, shaking her head.

"Don't be so sure of that. I shan't lose sight of this man Quodling.
It's the strangest likeness I ever saw, and I shan't be satisfied