“’I go from the busy haunts of men, far from the bustle and worry of business life.  I may be found, but only he who is worthy will find me, and whoever finds me, will, I trust, not lose his reward.  From the loopholes of retreat I shall watch the stress and fever of life, but shall not mingle in the fray.’”

“Queer words, those,” Reynolds remarked, when the editor had finished reading.  “What do you make of them?”

“I hardly know, although I have considered them very carefully.  I believe they contain a hidden meaning, and that the finding will consist of more than the mere discovery of his person.  It must refer to something else, some quality of heart or mind, that is, the real personality behind the mere outward form.”

“A double quest, eh, for anyone who undertakes the venture?”

“It seems so, Tom, and that makes it all the more difficult.  But what an undertaking!  How I wish I were young again, and I should be off to-morrow.  I was a fool not to make the try fifteen years ago.  I would not now be chained to this desk, I feel certain of that.”

“And as you cannot go yourself, you want——?” Reynolds paused and looked quizzically at the editor.

“I want you to go in my stead,” was the emphatic reply.  “You are young, strong, and anxious for adventure.”

“For what purpose, sir?  Why do you wish me to undertake this wild-goose chase?  For such it seems to me.”

“I wish you to go for three reasons.  First, for your own good; as an outlet to your abundant energy, and to give you some object in life.  Next, to satisfy a curiosity that has been consuming me for years.  I am more than anxious to know what has become of Henry Redmond.  And finally, for the sake of my paper.  If you should prove successful, what a write-up it will make, for you will have a wonderful story to tell.  Doesn’t the thing appeal to you?  Why, it makes my blood tingle at the thought of such an undertaking.”

“It does stir me a bit,” Reynolds acknowledged.  “But where am I to go?  Have you any idea where Redmond is?  The world is big, remember, and without any clue, the chase would be absolute folly.”

“I am well aware of all that.  I have no idea where Redmond is, and that makes the venture all the more interesting.  If I could tell you where he is, and you merely went and found him, bah! that would not be worth the trouble.  But the uncertainty of it all is what appeals to me.  The whole world is before you, and somewhere in the world I believe Henry Redmond is living.  Your task is to find him.  Can you do it?”

For a few minutes Reynolds did not speak.  He was interested, but the undertaking seemed so utterly hopeless and ridiculous that he hesitated.  If he had the slightest clue as to the man’s whereabouts it would be different.

“How old a man was Redmond when he disappeared?” he at length asked.

“About fifty, I understand, although he appeared much older at times.  He was a fine looking man, over six feet in height, and a large head, crowned with a wealth of hair streaked with gray, when last I saw him.  His commanding appearance attracted attention wherever he went, and that should aid you somewhat in your search.”