'Of course,' I hastily anticipated, 'I know it is unprecedented, but-'
'As I was about to remark,' he went on steadily, 'it is unprecedented, and I don't think we can do anything for you.'
However, I departed with the address of a detective who lived in the East End, and took my way to the American consul-general.And here, at last, I found a man with whom I could 'do business.' There was no hemming and hawing, no lifted brows, open incredulity, or blank amazement.In one minute I explained myself and my project, which he accepted as a matter of course.In the second minute he asked my age, height, and weight, and looked me over.And in the third minute, as we shook hands at parting, he said: 'All right, Jack.
I'll remember you and keep track.'
I breathed a sigh of relief.Having built my ships behind me, Iwas now free to plunge into that human wilderness of which nobody seemed to know anything.But at once I encountered a new difficulty in the shape of my cabby, a gray-whiskered and eminently decorous personage, who had imperturbably driven me for several hours about the 'City.'
'Drive me down to the East End,' I ordered, taking my seat.
'Where, sir?' he demanded with frank surprise.
'To the East End, anywhere.Go on.'
The hansom pursued an aimless way for several minutes, then came to a puzzled stop.The aperture above my head was uncovered, and the cabman peered down perplexedly at me.
'I say,' he said, 'wot plyce yer wanter go?'
'East End,' I repeated.'Nowhere in particular.Just drive me around, anywhere.'
'But wot's the haddress, sir?'
'See here!' I thundered.'Drive me down to the East End, and at once!'
It was evident that he did not understand, but he withdrew his head and grumblingly started his horse.