Captain Wragge recovered himself, pocketed the handbill, and followed his leader for the second time.
The stranger directed his steps to the nearest street which ran down to the river, compared a note in his pocketbook with the numbers of the houses on the left-hand side, stopped at one of them, and rang the bell.
The captain went on to the next house; affected to ring the bell, in his turn, and stood with his back to the traveler--in appearance, waiting to be let in; in reality, listening with all his might for any scraps of dialogue which might reach his ears on the opening of the door behind him.
The door was answered with all due alacrity, and a sufficiently instructive interchange of question and answer on the threshold rewarded the dexterity of Captain Wragge.
"Does Mr.Huxtable live here ?" asked the traveler.
"Yes, sir," was the answer, in a woman's voice.
"Is he at home ?" "Not at home now, sir; but he will be in again at eight to-night." "I think a young lady called here early in the day, did she not ?" "Yes; a young lady came this afternoon." "Exactly; I come on the same business.

Did she see Mr.Huxtable ?" "No, sir; he has been away all day.

The young lady told me she would come back at eight o'clock." "Just so.

I will call and see Mr.Huxtable at the same time." "Any name, sir ?" "No; say a gentleman called on theatrical business--that will be enough.
Wait one minute, if you please.

I am a stranger in York; will you kindly tell me which is the way to Coney Street ?" The woman gave the required information, the door closed, and the stranger hastened away in the direction of Coney Street.
On this occasion Captain Wragge made no attempt to follow him.