ill called for.

This was scanty information upon which to continue his search. His first
step was to go to the calaboose, where he managed to obtain an interview
with Hatchie. The poor fellow was in an agony of grief,--not on his own
account, but on that of his mistress, for he well understood the reason
of this imprisonment.

Hatchie, of course, could give him no information of the whereabouts of
Emily, nor offer any suggestion; and Vernon was compelled to leave the
disheartened mulatto, with only a promise of speedily effecting his
deliverance.

Vernon's next step was to ascertain the present abiding place of
Maxwell, if, indeed, he was in the city; and for this purpose he had
gone to his office. The open room did not verify the statements of the
negress. He knew that Maxwell always closed up his rooms when he left
the city, and the fact of their being open now tended to fix suspicion
upon him, or rather to confirm the suspicions before entertained. He
had made the visit to the attorney's rooms to gain information; and,
being partly convinced, by the manner of the negress, that the rear
chamber was occupied, he retired to the coffee-room to digest the
knowledge, and, if possible, arrive at some conclusion through it, as
well as at the same time to keep watch of the movements at the office.

Who was this De Guy, who had been the agent of Maxwell?--for such he
determined to believe him, until convinced to the contrary. He canvassed
their mutual acquaintances, but could remember no such person. Intimate
as he had been with all the associates of Maxwell, he could not identify
this bold and cunning confederate.

He had not long deliberated, when, to his surprise,--albeit it was not
an event at all remarkable,--Maxwell entered the coffee-room.

Before Vernon had time to decide whether or not he should charge the
lawyer with the abduction of Emily, that worthy approached his chair,
and, with much cordiality,--more than he had formerly bestowed upon
him,--extended his hand, and expressed his happiness at again meeting
him in the city.

Undecided as yet how to proceed, Vernon returned his salutations with an
appearance of equal cordiality.

"My dear fellow," said Maxwell, "I am rejoiced to see you in town again.
I was afraid you would quite desert us."

This language was new and strange to Vernon. It sounded like the days in
which he had been respectable--before his vices had found him out.

"Indeed! why did you t