For nobody knew better than
himself that one little thing leads to another, and--but he forbore to
follow out what might have been his train of thought. Once he was
tempted to make an excuse for going round to Eldrick & Pascoe's with the
idea of fishing for information--but he refrained. Let things
develop--that was a safer plan. Still, he was anxious and disturbed all
day. Then, towards the end of the afternoon, he bought one of the
Barford evening papers--and saw, in staring letters, the advertisement
which Byner had caused to be inserted only a few hours previously. And
at that, Pratt became afraid.
Parrawhite wanted!--news of Parrawhite wanted!--and in two separate
quarters. Wanted by Eldrick--wanted by some London people! What in the
name of the devil did it mean? At any rate, he must see to himself. One
thing was certain--no search for Parrawhite must be permitted in
Barford.
That evening, instead of going home to dinner, Pratt remained in town,
and dined at a quiet restaurant. When he dined, he thought, and planned,
and schemed--and after treating himself very well in the matter of food
and drink, he lighted a cigar, returned to his new offices, opened a
safe which he had just set up, and took from a drawer in it a hundred
pounds in bank-notes. With these in his pocket-book he went off to a
quiet part of the town--the part in which James Parrawhite had lodged
during his stay in Barford.
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