"I thought my last hour had come. I am only sorry that Corbett himself did not have the experience." "Do you really believe he is in the States, sir?" "I am sure of it." "Then he must have returned there since he wrote that letter." "That is the only solution of the difficulty." "Hum. It's a pity." "Why?" "I would sooner prefer to arrest him on this side. To get him by extradition is a slow affair, and probably means a trip across the Atlantic." Good-humor being now restored, the party quitted the flat and adjourned to a neighboring hotel, where the barrister started White on the full, true, and particular account of his pursuit and capture of the Winchmore Hill burglars, an exploit which was the pride of the detective's life. At the end of a bottle of champagne and a cigar they all parted excellent friends, but Bruce did not attempt to revisit Raleigh Mansions that night. Instead, he partook of a quiet meal at a restaurant, and hurried to his chambers to await the advent of the ticket-collector. Punctual to the hour, this new witness arrived, and was admitted by Smith in obedience with previous instructions. The man was somewhat awed by the surroundings and the appearance of a servant in livery, but Bruce quickly put him at his ease. "Come, sit near the fire. Do you drink whisky and soda? That box contains your favorite cigars. Now, tell me all you know about this business." "I can't s'y as I know anythink about it, sir, but by puttin' two and two together it makes four sometimes--not always." "Quite right. You're a philosopher. Let me hear the two two's. We will see about the addition afterwards." "Well, sir, this yer lydy was a-missin' early in November. She tykes a ticket at Victoria Station on the District for Richmond; she gives it up to me at Sloane Square, arsks a newsboy the w'y to Raleigh Mansions, for 'e tell'd me so after you'd bin to see me, an' from what you s'y, 'as bin swallered up ever since." "The Lord Chief couldn't state the case more simply." "That's the first two. Now, for the second two, an' you won't forgit as I knew nothink about the lydy bein' dead, or I should 'ave opened my mouth long afore this." "Go on. No one can blame you."