Having nothing to do, Charlie sauntered about the town during the day, looking into the shops, and keeping a keen eye on passers by, with the vague hope that he might be lucky enough to come across his man.

After he had finished his supper, the waiter came up and told him that his brother was outside.

“I have spoken to him, sir, and he warrants that he can take you into the sort of society you want to meet, whatever it may be.”

Charlie followed him out.  A man was standing under the lamp that swung before the door.

“This is the gentleman I was speaking to you of, Tony.”

As the man took off his cap, Charlie had a good view of his face.  It was shrewd and intelligent.

“You understand what I want?” he asked, as the waiter ran into the house again, to attend to his duties.

“Yes, sir.  So far as I understood him, you wish to go to taverns of somewhat inferior reputations, and to see something of that side of London life.  If you will pardon my boldness, it is somewhat of a dangerous venture.  In such places brawls are frequent, and rapiers soon out.

“You look to me like one who could hold his own in a fray,” he added, as his eye ran over the athletic figure before him, “but it is not always fair fighting.  These fellows hang together, and while engaged with one, half a dozen might fall upon you.  As to your purse, sir, it is your own affair.  You will assuredly lose your money, if you play or wager with them.  But that is no concern of mine.  Neither, you may say, is your life; but it seems to me that it is.  One young gentleman from the country, who wanted, like you, to see life, was killed in a brawl, and I have never forgiven myself for having taken him to the tavern where he lost his life.  Thus, I say that, though willing enough to earn a crown or two outside my own work, I must decline to take you to places where, as it seems to me, you are likely to get into trouble.”

“You are an honest fellow, and I like you all the more, for speaking out frankly to me,” Charlie said, “and were I, as I told your brother, thinking of going to such places solely for amusement, what you say would have weight with me.  But, as I see that you are to be trusted, I will tell you more.  I want to find a man who did me and mine a grievous ill turn.  I have no intention of killing him, or anything of that sort, but it is a matter of great importance to lay hand on him.  All I know of him is that he is a frequenter of taverns here, and those not of the first character.  Just at present he is, I have reason to believe, provided with funds, and may push himself into places where he would not show himself when he is out of luck.  Still, it is more likely he is to be found in the lowest dens, among rascals of his own kidney.  I may lose a little money, but I shall do so with my eyes open, and solely to obtain a footing at the places where I am most likely to meet him.”