"And as you cannot go yourself, you want----?" Reynolds paused and
looked quizzically at the editor.

"I want you to go in my stead," was the emphatic reply. "You are
young, strong, and anxious for adventure."

"For what purpose, sir? Why do you wish me to undertake this
wild-goose chase? For such it seems to me."

"I wish you to go for three reasons. First, for your own good; as an
outlet to your abundant energy, and to give you some object in life.
Next, to satisfy a curiosity that has been consuming me for years. I
am more than anxious to know what has become of Henry Redmond. And
finally, for the sake of my paper. If you should prove successful,
what a write-up it will make, for you will have a wonderful story to
tell. Doesn't the thing appeal to you? Why, it makes my blood tingle
at the thought of such an undertaking."

"It does stir me a bit," Reynolds acknowledged. "But where am I to go?
Have you any idea where Redmond is? The world is big, remember, and
without any clue, the chase would be absolute folly."

"I am well aware of all that. I have no idea where Redmond is, and
that makes the venture all the more interesting. If I could tell you
where he is, and you merely went and found him, bah! that would not be
worth the trouble. But the uncertainty of it all is what appeals to
me. The whole world is before you, and somewhere in the world I
believe Henry Redmond is living. Your task is to find him. Can you do
it?"

For a few minutes Reynolds did not speak. He was interested, but the
undertaking seemed so utterly hopeless and ridiculous that he
hesitated. If he had the slightest clue as to the man's whereabouts it
would be different.

"How old a man was Redmond when he disappeared?" he at length asked.

"About fifty, I understand, although he appeared much older at times.
He was a fine looking man, over six feet in height, and a large head,
crowned with a wealth of hair streaked with gray, when last I saw him.
His commanding appearance attracted attention wherever he went, and
that should aid you somewhat in your search."

"Had he any family?" Reynolds questioned.

"One little girl only, for he married late in life. His friends
thought that he would remain a permanent bachelor, and they were
greatly surprised when he unexpectedly took to himself a wife much
younger than himself, and very beautiful. They lived most happily
together, and when his wife died Redmond was heartbroken.