ng
gradually to half belief; but when they sat down, positive conviction
was evident in every face.

"How is it possible that these facts were never discovered before?"
ejaculated Mr. Bannatine.

"It is very simple," I replied; "the search has hitherto been conducted
on a wrong basis. The whole endeavor seems to have been to _guess_ who
might have done the deed, and then to find evidence to convict him. My
plan in all similar cases is, to first examine the evidence before me,
with a perfectly unbiased mind; then, having formed a theory by
reasoning on general principles, as applied to the facts in my
possession, I proceed to look about for some person who will answer the
conditions of my theory. I may find more than one, and I then am obliged
to make each such person the object of my attention until I obtain
convincing proof of his innocence or guilt. The person upon whom my
theory causes suspicion to fall, may have been hitherto regarded as
above suspicion; but, that fact does not deter me in the least degree
from placing that person's circumstances, motives, and actions under the
microscope, so to speak; for experience and observation, have taught me
that the most difficult crimes to fix upon the criminal, are those which
have been committed by men whose previous reputation had been unspotted.
Now, you have never connected Mr. Drysdale with this affair, because it
has never entered your minds to suspect him; but, had you gone over the
ground in the same manner that I have done, you would have been led to
the same conclusion. This is the real point, where the services of an
experienced detective, are most valuable. The plan by which a detective
operation is to be conducted, is as important as the method of
procedure. To find a man who is hiding from justice, his criminality
being well known, is a task of little difficulty, compared with the
labor involved in mysterious cases, where there is apparently, nothing
left to identify the criminal. I claim no special credit in this case,
since the clues have proven more numerous than had been supposed, but I
have given you my idea of the proper way to conduct an investigation,
simply to show you how I am accustomed to work. Let me now ask, whether
any of you have doubts, as to the propriety of putting my detectives
upon the trail of Mr. Drysdale, to determine the extent of his
connection, if any, in the murder of George Gordon?"

"None whatever," said Mr. Bannatine, emphati