It was sundown when I left the superintendent’s office.  I had not much to guide me:  there were hundreds of young men who wrote a beautiful hand, and had been in town last Monday.  But I did not trouble myself about what I did not know:  I confined myself to what I did know.  Upon reflection I thought it probable that my man had been in intimate relations with Hawes for the last few days, probably since Monday last, although it was not known that he had been in town since that day.  He might not be a resident in the city; but I decided to seek him here—­since, if he had not left town before the arrest of Springer and Hawes, he would not just now run the risk of falling into the hands of the police by going to any railroad station or steamer wharf.

I determined, therefore, to follow up the track of Hawes, and thereby, if possible, strike that of his confederate—­which was, in fact, all that could be done.

Hawes was a small broker.  He lived in Eighteenth street, and had an office in Wall street.

He lived too far up town, I thought, to go home every day to his dinner; he went then, most probably, always to the same eating house, and one not far from his office.

After inquiring at several restaurants near by, I came to one in Liberty street, where, on asking if Mr. Hawes was in the habit of dining there, the waiter said yes.

‘Have you seen a young man here with him, lately?’ I inquired.

‘No—­no one in particular,’ replied the waiter.

‘Are you sure of it?  Come, think.’

After scratching his head for a moment, he said: 

‘Yes, there has been a young man here speaking to him once or twice.’

‘How did he look?’

‘He was short, and had black hair and eyes.’

‘Who is he?  What does he do?’

‘He is clerk to Mr. L——­, the linen importer.’

‘Where does Mr. L——­ live?’

The waiter did not know.  Looking into a Directory, I ascertained his residence to be in Fourteenth street.  The stores by this time were closed, so I went immediately to Mr. L——­’s house, and asked to see him.  He was at dinner.

‘I am sorry to disturb him,’ said I to the servant, ’but I wish to speak with him a moment on a matter of importance, and cannot wait.’

Mr. L——­ came out, evidently annoyed at the intrusion.

‘Have you such a person in your employment?’ said I, describing him.

‘No, sir, I have not.’

‘You had such a person?’

‘I have not now.’

‘Did you discharge him?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why?’

‘What business is that of your’s?’ he asked, rather huffily.

’My name, sir, is M——­, of the police.  I am after this fellow, that’s all.  Tell me, if you please, why you discharged him?’

‘Oh, I beg your pardon,’ said Mr. L——.  ’I took you for one of his rascally associates.  I discharged him a week or ten days ago.  He was a dissipated, good-for-nothing fellow.’