“You oughtn't to count inquisitiveness a crime, when the very thing you ask me to do is nothing if not inquisitive. Really, if you'd just stop to think how a self-respecting man can possibly bring himself to pry and question--” “Well, you may rest assured there's nothing dishonorable in this particular case. Do you imagine I would ask you to do it if it were? Upon my word, you don't flatter me!” “Don't be angry, dear. If you're really _sure_ it's all right--” “_If_ I'm sure! Tommy Larcher, you're simply insulting! I wish I had asked somebody else! It isn't too late--” Larcher turned pale at the idea. He seized her hand. “Don't talk that way, Edna dearest. You know there's nobody will serve you more devotedly than I. And there isn't a man of your acquaintance can handle this matter as quickly and thoroughly. Murray Davenport, you say; writes for magazines and newspapers; is an artist, also, and has something to do with theatres. Is there any other information to start with?” “No; except that he's about twenty-eight years old, and fairly good-looking. He usually lives in rooms--you know what I mean--and takes his meals at restaurants.” “Can you give me any other points about his appearance? There _might_ possibly be two men of the same name in the same occupation. I shouldn't like to be looking up the wrong man.” “Neither should I like that. We must have the right man, by all means. But I don't think I can tell you any more about him. Of course _I_ never saw him.” “There wouldn't probably be more than one man of the same name who was a writer and an artist and connected with theatres,” said Larcher. “And it isn't a common name, Murray Davenport. There isn't one chance in a thousand of a mistake in identity; but the most astonishing coincidences do occur.” “He's something of a musician, too, now that I remember,” added the young lady. “He must be a versatile fellow, whoever he is. And when do you want this report?” “As soon as possible. Whenever you find out anything about his circumstances, and state of mind, and so forth, write to me at once; and when you find out anything more, write again. We're going back to Easthampton to-morrow, you know.”