Mrs. Flitwick turned to Melky with an air of
relief.
"Perhaps you can tell this gentleman where Mr. Lauriston is, Mr.
Rubinstein?" she said. "I ain't seen him since he went out first thing
this morning."
Melky looked the stranger over--narrowly. Then he silently beckoned him
outside the house, and walked him out of earshot.
"You ain't the friend from Scotland?" asked Melky. "Him what sent the
bank-note, last night?"
"Yes!" assented the stranger. "I see you're aware of that. My name is
Purdie--John Purdie. Where is Lauriston? I particularly want to see him."
Melky tapped the side of his nose, and whispered.
"He's on his way to where you come from, mister!" he said. "Here!--I know
who you are, and you'll know me in one minute. Come up to my sitting-
room!"
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE FRIEND FROM PEEBLES
Melky, as principal lodger in Mrs. Flitwick's establishment, occupied what
that lady was accustomed to describe as the front drawing-room floor--a
couple of rooms opening one into the other. Into one of these, furnished
as a sitting-room, he now led Lauriston's friend, hospitably invited him
to a seat, and took a quiet look at him.
Pages:
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114