He went to the hotel door, and lighted a cigar; out came Smith with a letter in his very hand. Ashmead peered with all his eyes; but Smith held the letter vertically in his hand and the address inward. The letter was sealed. Ashmead watched him, and saw he was going to the General Post. He knew a shorter cut, ran, and took it, and lay in wait. As Smith approached the box, letter in hand, he bustled up in a furious hurry, and posted his own letter so as to stop Smith's hand at the very aperture before he could insert his letter. He saw, apologized, and drew back. Smith laughed, and said, “All right, old man. That is to your sweetheart, or you wouldn't be in such a hurry.” “No; it was to my grandmother,” said Ashmead. “Go on,” said Smith, and poked the ribs of Joseph. They went home jocular; but the detective was no sooner out of the way than Ashmead stole up to Ina Klosking, and put his finger to his lips; for Karl was clearing away, and in no hurry. They sat on tenter-hooks and thought he never would go. He did go at last, and then the Klosking and Ashmead came together like two magnets. “Well?” “All right! Letter to post. Saw address quite plain--Edward Severne, Esq.” “Yes.” “Vizard Court.” “Ah!” “Taddington--Barfordshire--England.” Ina, who was standing all on fire, now sat down and interlaced her hands. “Vizard!” said she, gloomily. “Yes; Vizard Court,” said Ashmead, triumphantly; “that means he is a large landed proprietor, and you will easily find him if he is there in a month.” “He will be there,” said Ina. “She is very beautiful. She is dark, too, and he loves change. Oh, if to all I have suffered he adds _that_--” “Then you will forgive him _that,”_ said Ashmead, shaking his head. “Never. Look at me, Joseph Ashmead.” He looked at her with some awe, for she seemed transformed, and her Danish eye gleamed strangely. “You who have seen my torments and my fidelity, mark what I say: If he is false to me with another woman, I shall kill him--or else I shall hate him.” She took her desk and wrote, at Ashmead's dictation, “Vizard Court, Taddington, Barfordshire.” CHAPTER XIX. THE next morning Vizard carried Lord Uxmoor away to a magistrates' meeting, and left the road clear to Severne; but Zoe gave him no opportunity until just before luncheon, and then she put on her bonnet and came downstairs; but Fanny was with her. Severne, who was seated patiently in his bedroom with the door ajar, came out to join them, feeling sure Fanny would openly side with him, or slip away and give him his opportunity.