The conjunction of these planets seeming ominous, I
drew near; but it seemed Bellairs had done his
business; he vanished in the crowd, and I found my
officer alone.
"Do you know whom you have been talking to, Mr.
Sebright?" I began.
"No," said he; "I don't know him from Adam. Anything
wrong?"
"He is a disreputable lawyer, recently disbarred," said
I. "I wish I had seen you in time. I trust you told
him nothing about Carthew?"
He flushed to his ears. "I'm awfully sorry," he said.
"He seemed civil, and I wanted to get rid of him. It
was only the address he asked."
"And you gave it?" I cried.
"I'm really awfully sorry," said Sebright. "I'm afraid
I did."
"God forgive you!" was my only comment, and I turned my
back upon the blunderer.
The fat was in the fire now: Bellairs had the address,
and I was the more deceived or Carthew would have news
of him. So strong was this impression, and so painful,
that the next morning I had the curiosity to pay the
lawyer's den a visit. An old woman was scrubbing the
stair, and the board was down.
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