s thinking to
myself.

"Martin," he replied, gravely, "isn't it wisest to leave the matter as
it stands? If you find Olivia, what then? she is as much separated from
you as she can be by death. So long as Foster lives, it is worse than
useless to be thinking of her. There is no misery like that of hanging
about a woman you have no right to love."

"I only wish to satisfy myself that she is alive," I answered. "Just
think of it, Jack, not to know whether she is living or dead! You must
help me to satisfy myself. Foster has got the only valuable thing she
had in her possession, and if she is living she may be in absolute want.
I cannot be contented with that dread on my mind. There can be no harm
in my taking some care of her at a distance. This mystery would be
intolerable to me."

"You're right, old fellow," he said, cordially; "we will go to Ridley's
together to-morrow morning."

We were there soon after the doors were open. There were not many
clients present, and the clerks were enjoying a slack time. Jack had
recalled to his mind the exact date of his former visit; and thus the
sole difficulty was overcome. The clerk found the name of Ellen
Martineau entered under that date in his book.

"Yes," he said, "Miss Ellen Martineau, English teacher in a French
school; premium to be paid, about 10 Pounds; no salary; reference, Mrs.
Wilkinson, No. 19 Bellringer Street."

"No. 19 Bellringer Street!" we repeated in one breath.

"Yes, gentlemen, that is the address," said the clerk, closing the book.
"Shall I write it down for you? Mrs. Wilkinson was the party who should
have paid our commission; as you perceive, a premium was required
instead of a salary given. We feel pretty sure the young lady went to
the school, but Mrs. Wilkinson denies it, and it is not worth our while
to pursue our claim in law."

"Can you describe the young lady?" I inquired.

"Well, no. We have such hosts of young ladies here. But she was pretty,
decidedly pretty; she made that impression upon me, at least. We are too
busy to take particular notice; but I should know her again if she came
in. I think she would have been here again, before this, if she had not
got that engagement."

"Do you know where the school is?" I asked.

"No. Mrs. Wilkinson was the party," he said. "We had nothing to do with
it, except send any ladies to her who thought it worth their while. That
was all."

As we could obtain no further information, we went away, a