"If he is in the house, ma'am," said I, firmly, "I will see him
for you." And I left her and went into the bar.

"In what room do you think I will find young Hammond?" I asked of
the bar-keeper. He looked at me curiously, but did not answer. The
question had come upon him unanticipated.

"In Harvey Green's room?" I pursued.

"I don't know, I am sure. He isn't in the house to my knowledge. I
saw him go out about half an hour since."

"Green's room is No.----?"

"Eleven," he answered.

"In the front part of the house?"

"Yes."

I asked no further question, but went to No. 11, and tapped on the
door. But no one answered the summons. I listened, but could not
distinguish the slightest sound within. Again I knocked; but
louder. If my ears did not deceive me, the chink of coin was
heard. Still there was neither voice nor movement.

I was disappointed. That the room had inmates, I felt sure.
Remembering, now, what I had heard about light being seen in this
room through a rent in the curtain, I went down-stairs, and out