"Of course, Mr. Lyon has not been there?"

"I don't know about that. He certainly was not there as Mr. Lyon."

"Was any one there answering to his description?"

"Yes."

"From the South?"

"Yes. From Richmond--so the register has it; and the name recorded
is Melville."

"You asked about him particularly?"

"I did, and the description given, both by the landlord and his
clerk, corresponded in a singular manner with the appearance of Mr.
Lyon. He arrived by the southern line, and appeared hurried in
manner. Almost as soon as his name was registered, he inquired at
what hour the cars started on the--road. He went out in an hour
after his arrival, and did not return until late in the evening.
Yesterday morning he left in the first southern train."

"Well, friends, you see that I was not so very far out of the way,"
said the individual who had surprised the gentlemen by asserting
that Mr. Lyon was in the city only two days before.

"I can't believe that it was Mr. Lyon." Firmly Mr. Markland took
this position.