tters a little better," I returned at
length.

"There is not much to understand. Mr. Henry Clavering, a gentleman and
a man of the world, resides at the Hoffman House. He is a stranger in
town, without being strange; drives, walks, smokes, but never visits;
looks at the ladies, but is never seen to bow to one. In short, a
person whom it is desirable to know; but whom, being a proud man,
with something of the old-world prejudice against Yankee freedom and
forwardness, I could no more approach in the way of acquaintance than I
could the Emperor of Austria."

"And you wish----"

"He would make a very agreeable companion for a rising young lawyer
of good family and undoubted respectability. I have no doubt, if you
undertook to cultivate him, you would find him well worth the trouble."

"But----"

"Might even desire to take him into familiar relations; to confide in
him, and----"

"Mr. Gryce," I hastily interrupted; "I can never consent to plot for any
man's friendship for the sake of betraying him to the police."

"It is essential to your plans to make the acquaintance of Mr.
Clavering," he dryly replied.

"Oh!" I returned, a light breaking in upon me; "he has some connection
with this case, then?"

Mr. Gryce smoothed his coat-sleeve thoughtfully. "I don't know as it
will be necessary for you to betray him. You wouldn't object to being
introduced to him?"

"No."

"Nor, if you found him pleasant, to converse with him?"

"No."

"Not even if, in the course of conversation, you should come across
something that might serve as a clue in your efforts to save Eleanore
Leavenworth?"

The no I uttered this time was less assured; the part of a spy was the
very last one I desired to play in the coming drama.

"Well, then," he went on, ignoring the doubtful tone in which my assent
had been given, "I advise you to immediately take up your quarters at
the Hoffman House."

"I doubt if that would do," I said. "If I am not mistaken, I have
already seen this gentleman, and spoken to him."

"Where?"

"Describe him first."

"Well, he is tall, finely formed, of very upright carriage, with a
handsome dark face, brown hair streaked with gray, a piercing eye, and a
smooth address. A very imposing personage, I assure you."

"I have reason to think I have seen him," I returned; and in a few words
told him when and where.

"Humph!" said he at the conclusion; "he is evidently as much interested
in you as we are in him.