rn in search of Sergeant Nicholas. I
found him on the bowling-green, watching the players. I called for
a quart of old ale and some tobacco, and before long we were as
cosy as two old cronies who have known each other for twenty years.
The morning had shown me that the Sergeant was a man of some
intelligence, and of much worldly experience; and when I had
lowered myself imperceptibly to the level of his intellect, so as
to put him more completely at his ease, I had no difficulty in
inducing him to talk freely and fully on that one subject which,
for the last few hours, has had for me an interest paramount to
that of any other. My primary object was to induce him to retail to
me every scrap of information that he could call to mind respecting
the Russian, Platzoff, who is said to have stolen the diamond. It
was Mirpah's opinion and mine, that he must be in possession of
many bits of special knowledge, such as might seem of no
consequence to him, but which might be invaluable to us in our
search, and such as he would naturally leave out of the narrative
he told Lady Chillington. The result proved that our opinion was
well founded. I did not leave the Sergeant till I had pumped him
thoroughly dry. (Mem.: An excellent tap of old ale at the White
Hart. Must try some of it at home.)

"I found Mirpah watering her geraniums in the back garden. She was
all impatience to learn the result of my interview. I am thankful
that increasing years have not impaired my memory. I repeated to
Mirpah every word bearing on the case in point that the Sergeant
had confided to me. Then I waited in silence for her opinion. I was
anxious to know whether it coincided in any way with my own. I am
happy to think that it did coincide. Father and daughter were
agreed.

"'I think that you have done a very good afternoon's work, papa,'
said Mirpah, after a few moments given to silent thought. 'After a
lapse of twenty years, it is not likely that Sergeant Nicholas
should have a very clear recollection of any conversation that he
may have overheard between Captain Chillington and M. Platzoff.
Indeed, had he pretended to repeat any such conversation, I should
have felt strongly inclined to doubt the truth of his entire
narrative. Happily he disclaims any such abnormal powers of m