I did not slacken my speed for a moment as we came face to face; I did
not turn to look back after him; I retraced my steps to the office;
affected to look out some paper, and once again pursued my former route,
this time without meeting or being followed by anyone, and made my way
into the City, where I really had business to transact.
I could have wished for a longer and a better look at the man who
honoured me so far as to feel interested in my movements; but I did not
wish to arouse his suspicions.
I had scored one trick; I had met him full, and seen his face
distinctly--so distinctly that I was able to feel certain I had seen it
before, but where, at the moment, I could not remember.
"Never mind," I continued: "that memory will come in due time; meanwhile
the ground of inquiry narrows, and the plot begins to thicken."
11. MISS BLAKE ONCE MORE
Upon my return to River Hall I found in the letter-box an envelope
addressed to ---- Patterson, Esq.
Thinking it probably contained some circular, I did not break the seal
until after dinner; whereas, had I only known from whom the note came,
should I not have devoured its contents before satisfying the pangs of
physical hunger!
Thus ran the epistle:--
"DEAR SIR,--
"Until half an hour ago I was ignorant that you were the person who
had undertaken to reside at River Hall.
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