“How are you?” said Tibbs. “So, so—you’re come back, have you? Hurrah—hurray—that’s my op—opinion.” Albert stepped up to him, and shaking him roughly, cried in a loud voice:— “Who are you?” “Who—who—am—I? Why, everybody knows me—I’m—Tip—Tip—Tipsy Tibbs, the bear warder.” “Tell me, have you seen a beautiful girl here? Speak at once.” “A w—w—what?” “A young girl, with black eyes; sparkling as diamonds—long dancing ringlets.” “Whew!” whistled Tibbs. “Don’t I wish I had? Oh, the little charmer.” “Wretch!” cried Albert, “have you seen her?” “Do—do—you mean—Mrs. Tibbs?” “Albert,” said Mr. Seyton, “we shall get no information from this man by angry questioning. Allow me to speak to him. Are you alone here, my friend?” “No, I ain’t.” “Who else inhabits this house?” “Popsy. Hurrah—let’s have another bottle—never get drunk—don’t make a beast of yourself, old gentleman.” “How long have you been here?” “Two bottles!” “How long a time, I say, have you been here?” “Well, I say—two—two bottles.” “The villain Gray has been more than a match for me, father;” said Albert. “My poor Ada is not here!” He sunk upon a chair, and gave way to a violent burst of grief as he spoke, and Tibbs gazed upon him in speechless astonishment. “Albert,” said his father, “this is childish of you. Let us thoroughly search this house. We may still find some clue to the object of our search.” “True,” said Albert, rising, “I will not despair. We may, perchance, light upon the mysterious packet of papers which Jacob Gray thinks so much of, and which were addressed to Sir Francis Hartleton.” “Take another bottle,” suggested Tibbs, making various ridiculous efforts to get on his feet, in all of which he signally failed. “Sot,” said Albert, “I will force more intelligent answers from you yet before I leave this house.” “Take another bottle,” said Tibbs. “My dear, here’s your health. You have a rare voice. Bless you, you want to stay because I’m here. Don’t let him persuade you; d—d—d—n his important papers.” “What do you mean?” cried Albert. “Why, she’s gone, to be sure. They didn’t know I was listening on the stairs. Ho! Ho! Ho!—They’re off, and the furniture’s all mine. Take another bottle.” “From the ravings of this drunkard,” said Mr. Seyton, “we may gather what has happened, Albert. Jacob Gray, on some pretence, having his suspicions awakened, has induced Ada to leave this place with him.” “I fear it is so, father,” said Albert; “but here I vow to Heaven that I will not know more rest than is needful to my health and strength till I have found where this bad man has hidden the fairest, best—” “Control your feelings, Albert,” said his father. “God knows how willingly I would have taken this persecuted young girl to my home, and done a parent’s duty by her; but Heaven has decreed it otherwise.”