"I put on a bold face, however, and asked for the boy's description.

The man told me that he could provide me with an accurate one, for that many people, notably the lady superior, remembered the lad.

He could also give other details which might be useful." "And these you obtained, of course ?" "Not yet." "Are you joking ?" "Not a bit.

I do not know whether the old man was sharp enough to read in the expression of my features that I had not the smallest hope of success; be that as it may, he could give me no further information that day, declaring that he came in only to consult me, and that everything must be done in a most confidential way.

I hastened to assure him that my office was a perfect tomb of secrets.