them chapter
and verse and supply them with information, and get Ransford into the
tightest of corners, solely that, in order to win Mary Bewery, he might
have the credit of pulling him out again. That, he felt certain, he
could do--if he could make a net in which to enclose Ransford he could
also invent a two-edged sword which would cut every mesh of that net
into fragments. That would be--child's play--mere statecraft--elementary
diplomacy. But first--to get Ransford fairly bottled up--that was
the thing! He determined to lose no more time--and he was thinking
of visiting Mitchington immediately after breakfast next morning when
Mitchington knocked at his door.

Bryce was rarely taken back, and on seeing Mitchington and a companion,
he forthwith invited them into his parlour, put out his whisky and
cigars, and pressed both on them as if their late call were a matter of
usual occurrence. And when he had helped both to a drink, he took one
himself, and tumbler in hand, dropped into his easy chair again.

"We saw your light, doctor--so I took the liberty of dropping into tell
you a bit of news," observed the inspector. "But I haven't introduced my
friend--this is Detective-Sergeant Jettison, of the Yard--we've got him
down about this business--must have help, you know."

Bryce gave the detective a half-sharp, half-careless look and nodded.

"Mr. Jettison will have abundant opportunities for the exercise of his
talents!" he observed in his best cynical manner. "I dare say he's found
that out already."

"Not an easy affair, sir, to be sure," assented Jettison. "Complicated!"

"Highly so!" agreed Bryce. He yawned, and glanced at the inspector.
"What's your news, Mitchington?" he asked, almost indifferently.

"Oh, well!" answered Mitchington. "As the Herald's published tomorrow
you'll see it in there, doctor--I've supplied an account for this week's
issue; just a short one--but I thought you'd like to know. You've heard
of the famous jewel robbery at the Duke's, some years ago? Yes?--well,
we've found all the whole bundle tonight--buried in Paradise! And how do
you think the secret came out?"

"No good at guessing," said Bryce.

"It came out," continued Mitchington, "through a man who, with
Braden--Braden, mark you!--got in possession of it--it's a long
story--and, with Braden, was going to reveal it to the Duke that very
day Braden was killed. This man waited until this very morning and
then told his Grace--his G