All the morning long he sat thoughtfully considering and weighing each word he used--till at last, when the document was finished to his satisfaction, he folded it up, and putting it in his pocket, started out to get his midday meal and find a lawyer's office.

He was somewhat surprised at his own alertness and vigour as he walked through the streets of Exeter on this quest;--excitement buoyed him up to such a degree that be was not conscious of the slightest fatigue or lassitude--he felt almost young.

He took his lunch at a small restaurant where he saw city clerks and others of that type going in, and afterwards, strolling up a dull little street which ended in a _cul de sac_, he spied a dingy archway, offering itself as an approach to a flight of equally dingy stairs.

Here a brass plate, winking at the passer-by, stated that "Rowden and Owlett, Solicitors," would be found on the first floor.

Helmsley paused, considering a moment--then, making up his mind that "Rowden and Owlett" would suit his purpose as well as any other equally unknown firm, he slowly climbed the steep and unwashed stair.