"About a month."

"And is expected to return soon, no doubt?"

"As to that, I can't say. Few people in this town I apprehend, can
speak with certainty as to the going and coming of Captain Allen."

"Is he often away?"

"No, sir; but oftener of late than formerly."

"Is his absence usually of a prolonged character?"

"It is much longer than it used to be--never less than a month, and
often extended to three times that period."

Colonel Willoughby sat without further remark for some time, his
eyes bent down, his brows contracted by thought, and his lips firmly
drawn together.

"Thank you, my friend," he said, at length, looking up, "for your
patience in answering my idle questions. I will not detain you any
longer."

The landlord arose, and, bowing to his guest, retired from the
apartment.