“Lord Montressor, Madam,” said his lordship, announcing himself. “Ah!—resume your seat, my lord. You sent for me?” “Yes, Madam. I called, if you please, to make inquiry of a lady who left your house in a carriage, last evening, at half-past eight o’clock.” “Oh! you mean Mrs. Estel?” “Estelle! Estelle!” exclaimed Lord Montressor to himself—then aloud—“Yes, Madam; I speak of Mrs. Estel.” “Oh! she left us, as you said, yesterday evening.” “I should be very grateful to be informed whither she went, Madam?” “Oh! I don’t know! I haven’t the least idea in the world. I think she left the city, however.” “Perhaps some member of your family may be better informed.” “Oh, no! I know they are not; because I had some curiosity to know where the lady went, and I made inquiries; no one could satisfy me—all they knew was the direction that the maid gave the hackman, and that the boy who had charge of the luggage afterward gave the drayman.” “And that was——?” “Light street wharf, sir.” “And that is all the intelligence you can give me?” “All, sir; I am sorry it is so meagre; you are interested in the lady?” “Yes, Madam. I thank you very sincerely for the information you have given me. Good-morning, Madam,” said his lordship, not feeling disposed to be questioned in his turn, and rising to take leave. “To Light street wharf,” was the next order given to the hackman, as he re-entered the carriage. And to Light street wharf he was driven. On arriving at the spot, he alighted, and walked about among watermen, porters, sailors, laborers, and all the miscellaneous crowd of the docks, and, addressing an old skipper, he inquired what vessel left that wharf since eight the preceding evening. “The only ship as has left the port at all, capting, is the Sea Mew, Captain Brewster, as sailed from this wharf at sunrise this morning, bound for Havanna,” replied the accurate old sailor. “Had she passengers?” “More’n I can tell you, capting.” Leaving Mr. Gridley to mingle among the sailors at the wharf, and find out whether the Sea Mew had carried passengers, and whether those passengers were females, Lord Montressor once more re-entered his carriage and drove back to the hotel to await the result. It was late in the afternoon when Gridley presented himself before his master. “Well, Gridley?” said his lordship, anxiously. “Well, my lord, I have ascertained that two females, answering to the description of Lady Montressor and her attendant, at nine o’clock last evening embarked on board the Sea Mew, bound for the West Indies.” “Ah! then I have her again; but it is certain that the lady was bound for the West Indies.” “Yes, my lord, certainly,” replied the valet, falling into a very natural mistake. “Was the information you obtained to be relied upon?”