At a Loss
With the trivial sum of five dollars in his pockets, Robert Lacy was
feeling far from complacent about the future. In fact, it was his somber
estimate that no matter how frugal he was, his money would run out
before the next day. He owed $3.5 to friends; with the remainder he would
have to eat enough to maintain his strength. Hunger would debilitate him 
to the point where he could not continue his fervid search for Evelyn.
There was no hope of an impetuous stranger suddenly thrusting money upon
him. There was still less solace for him in the hope that, after all this
time, he might develop the occult power that would give him a metal 
image of where Evelyn could be found.


to hit the nail on the head--to state or guess something correctly.
When Charlie said there were 3,627 beans in 
that jar, he hit the nail on the head.