CHAPTER XXXVI.
COMING ROUND.
Possessed with a thorough distrust of Mr.Medler and only half satisfied as to the fact of Marian's safety, Gilbert Fenton lost no time in seeking professional aid in the work of investigating this perplexing social mystery.

He went once more to the metropolitan detective who had been with him in Hampshire, and whose labours there had proved so futile.

The task now to be performed seemed easy enough.

Mr.Proul (Proul was the name of the gentleman engaged by Gilbert) had only to discover the whereabouts of Percival Nowell; a matter of no great difficulty, Gilbert imagined, since it was most likely that Marian's father had frequent personal communication with the lawyer; nor was it improbable that he would have business with his agent or representative, Mr.Tulliver, in Queen Anne's Court.

Provided with these two addresses, Gilbert fancied that Mr.Proul's work must needs be easy enough.
That gentleman, however, was not disposed to make light of the duty committed to him; whether from a professional habit of exaggerating the importance of any mission undertaken by him, or in perfect singleness of mind, it is not easy to say.
"It's a watching business, you see sir," he told Gilbert, "and is pretty sure to be tedious.