rack of them
and I think you may be able to tell me where they are."

He was all attention now. He turned half round and scrutinised me with
deliberate intensity. Then, like a flash, his rough manner changed. He
was the polished gentleman, the San Francisco club-lounger, the man of
the world.

He rasped the stubble on his chin; his eyes were bland, his voice smooth
as cream.

"Winklestein," he echoed reflectively, "Winklestein; seems to me I do
remember the name, but for the life of me I can't recall where."

He was watching me like a cat, and pretending to think hard.

"Was there a girl with them?"

"Yes," I said eagerly, "a young girl."

"A young girl, ah!" He seemed to reflect hard again. "Well, my friend,
I'm afraid I can't help you. I remember noticing the party on the way
in, but what became of them I can't think. I don't usually bother about
that kind of people. Well, good-night, or good-morning rather. This is
my hotel."

He had half entered when he paused and turned to me. His face was
urbane, his voice suave to sweetness; but it seemed to me there was a
subtle mockery in his tone.

"I say, if I should hear anything of them, I'll let you know. Your
name? Athol Meldrum--all right, I'll let you know. Good-bye."

He was gone and I had failed. I cursed myself for a fool. The man had
baffled me. Nay, even I had hurt myself by giving him an inkling of my
search. Berna seemed further away from me than ever. Home I went,
discouraged and despairful.

Then I began to argue with myself. He must know where they were, and if
he really had designs on the girl and was keeping her in hiding my
interview with him would alarm him. He would take the first opportunity
of warning the Winklesteins. When would he do it? That very night in all
likelihood. So I reasoned; and I resolved to watch.

I stationed myself in a saloon from where I could command a view of his
hotel, and there I waited. I think I must have watched the place for
three hours, but I know it was a weariful business, and I was heartsick
of it. Doggedly I stuck to my post. I was beginning to think he must
have evaded me, when suddenly coming forth alone from the hotel I saw my
man.

It was about midnight, neither light nor dark, but rather an absence of
either quality, and the Northern sky was wan and ominous. In the crowded
street I saw Locasto's hat overtopping all others, so that I had no
difficulty in shadowing him. Once he stopped to speak to a w