"Hallo, Gerald!" he cried. "I meet you by the most fortunate chance. I have been hunting for you everywhere."
"I could not wait for you at the hotel," said Gerald, "and had to go out and make inquiries for myself. What is the name of this street?"
"Never mind the name of the street," said Leonard, jumping at the safe conclusion. "The house is the important thing, and I have discovered it."
"I also have been told where she was taken to, and I was hurrying to her. Have you seen her, Len, have you seen her?"
"I have not, and have not attempted to do so. You see, Gerald, it is night, and I am a stranger to her and to the people who have taken care of her. It will be best, after all, for you to go first, especially as you are no longer the scarecrow you were, and will not alarm her by your haggard appearance."
"I am quite fresh now. Are we going to the house?"
"Yes, I am taking you there. Oh, Gerald, how I have hunted for your Emilia! If I had been in love with her myself, if she were my sweetheart instead of yours, I could not have worked harder to find her."
"I am sure you could not. You are a true friend. Forgive me for leaving the hotel; I could not bear the suspense."
"You acted naturally, Gerald--as I should have done in your place. I am something more than a friend, I am your loving brother, dear boy, ready to go through fire and water to serve you."
"God bless you, Len! Are we near the house?"
"There it is, Gerald, on the opposite side, just beyond the lamp-post."
They had scarcely started to cross the road when the street-door was opened, and the maiden sisters appeared on the threshold, peering up and down the street.
"Which is Emilia?" asked Leonard, grasping Gerald's arm, detaining him a moment.
"It is hard to say to so devoted a lover," said Leonard, "but be a little prudent. Any appearance of violent haste might cause them to shut the door in our faces."
Thus advised Gerald curbed his impatience, and crossed the road in a more leisurely manner. The maiden sisters started back as the two gentlemen halted before them.
"I beg your pardon," said Leonard, raising his hat; Gerald was so agitated that he could scarcely speak; "but we have been directed here to see a young lady who was rescued from the fire last night, and who found a refuge in your hospitable house."