“I doubt if I should――perhaps never――have succeeded in doing so, had I not by the merest chance in the world met with a townsman of yours――a Mr. Peace,” returned the detective. “Mr. Peace!” exclaimed the widow, in a tone of surprise. “Dear me――how very remarkable!” “Yes, very. He was acquainted with you some four or five years since.” The widow nodded. “Yes, he was,” she said sharply. “Mr. Peace, eh? Well, he is the last man in the world I should have thought of.” The jewellery was placed in a morocco case, and handed to Mr. Wrench, who at once wrote out a receipt for the same. He then placed the case and its contents in the breast pocket of his coat, and took his departure, well satisfied with the result of his visit. CHAPTER XXXII. THE RETURN TO BROXBRIDGE.――A MIDNIGHT ALARM AT THE “CARVED LION.”――A CHASE, AND AN ESCAPE. Mr. Wrench was under the full impression that he was a remarkably clever fellow. This fact, however, he had been duly impressed with on very many occasions, but perhaps he was never better pleased with himself than when he left Mrs. Maitland’s residence with the proofs of her reputed daughter’s identity. He had ascertained from the amiable and worthy widow herself, that Aveline had a beautiful little boy, who was between two and three years old. This he considered a valuable piece of information, in addition to the facts with which he was already furnished. Taken altogether, our detective congratulated himself upon being singularly fortunate. He went by train that same night to Broxbridge Hall, and was rather vexed when the model footman told him that his master was some miles away. Lord Ethalwood was on a visit at the house of a distinguished baronet. “And his lordship will not return till late to-morrow evening, or it may be the day hafter,” said the radiant Henry Adolphus. Mr. Wrench had no other alternative than to await the return of the earl. It would never do to take the liberty of seeing him at his friend’s house. “He’s a bumptious starchy sort of customer,” murmured Mr. Wench, “and stands a good deal upon etiquette, and all that sort of thing. I must eke out the time as best I can until he returns. Hang it all, what does he want to go away for at this particular time?” Mr. Wrench made the best of his way to the hostelry kept by Brickett. It was market day, and there were a number of strangers in the “Lion,” in addition to its regular frequenters. A noise and clatter as of many voices were heard proceeding from the public room, as the detective arrived at the front entrance of the house. “You are unusually busy, it would seem,” said he addressing the landlord, and glancing significantly the carts and other vehicles in front of the habitation. “Yes, I have had a regular rush of it all day,” returned the landlord, “but I’m glad to see ’ee back, sir, and hope as how ye’ve brought good news.” “Pretty well for that. Where is Mr. Peace?”