Looking back upon it now, I don't see why I was startled at this. But I
was. Perhaps it was because of the frequent repetition of the word
"will;" but so it was at any rate; and I thought I had a clew at last.
"His Continental Friend"?----
"O, I have it! The Continental Hotel is a place of rendezvous. I'll
watch and wait."
This much decided, I turned in reverie upon the beautiful Nellie, and
felt more than usual joy in the prospect of being of avail to her, and,
I confess, not a little ugly towards William, whom, what I had seen of
him had led me to despise. But he was a fellow of some ability, and
must have been the prompter of the work of abstraction; and, having
money at times, might have corrupted one of the clerks into his
interest. Thus I reflected, till I became, indeed, convinced. At the
Continental I resolved to be, at the time appointed in the
advertisement, or before.
I was on hand at an early hour, watching all that passed. The time went
on very sluggishly, and I was getting nervous. A quiet stealthy-looking
person came in at last, and ordered a room for the night. I watched the
number on the register; and posting myself on the street, being
partially disguised, I waited till William should come, which he did,
in a half-intoxicated mood. He scanned the register in a maudlin way,
and sent up his card to the room, which, as good luck would have it,
was on the topmost floor, so crowded was the hotel that night.