You had my card, I see. I've called about the attempt
made here the other night."

"Attempt?"

"Yes, sir; the burglary."

"How did you know there was an attempt?"

"Oh, we get to know a little, sir. We're a body of incompetent men that
every one abuses, but we find out a few things a year."

"You heard of this, then?"

"Yes, sir, and we were a bit surprised that you didn't communicate with
us. Seems strange, sir."

"Strange, yes, my man, but have we not had horrors enough?"

"Yes, sir, but--"

"Well," said Mr Girtle impatiently, "you have heard of it, then? What
do you wish to do?"

"See the place, sir. Who is it that nearly killed that poor fellow?"

"How did you know that some one did?"

Mr Girtle's visitor laughed a quiet little laugh.

"Oh, we know, sir. He's horribly bad."

"No; decidedly better."

"No, sir. I was at the hospital this morning, and they don't think
he'll live the day. He has let it all out."

"Look here, my man, we are confusing matters," said Mr Girtle.

"Why, you've got a wounded man here?"

"Yes. There, my good fellow, I suppose you must know all, now."

"I suppose we must, sir," said the officer, with a grim smile. "Strange
that you should so soon have another trouble here."

"But you have not told me your informant."

"Oh, there's no secret about it, sir. Servant chap went to the bad, and
lost his character. Old friend of your footman here who was killed. He
picks up with a couple of regular cracksmen, and tells all he knows
about the house, and they put up the job."

"Yes, yes. I see. Well?"

"They get in, and catch a Tartar, for this chap was cut down by some one
here, and his mates got him away to a wretched hole, where the people
were so frightened that they gave information to the police that a man
was dying on their premises. Police took him to the hospital, and when
he found out how bad he was, he made a clean breast of it all. That's
it, sir. Plain as A, B, C."

Mr Girtle sat looking at the officer, curiously.

"Do you think," he said at last, "that these men committed the other
robbery?"

The detective's eyes twinkled, but not a muscle moved.

"I should think it about certain, sir."

"Have you got the man's companions?"

"Yes, sir, both of them, safe enough."

"Then as this man confessed one thing, I dare say he will the other. He
is dying, you say?"

"Yes, sir, no doubt about it; not so much from the sword cut, as from
bad