The reader will pardon this digression, as this notice of the means by which the police are able to detect the “wanted” when they are “known,” has interest for the public, as well as the constabulary. It is calculated to induce a more general scrutiny of suspected thieves, with a view to discovery of peculiar marks, and in future the “information” received by the police may prove more useful in thief-catching. CHAPTER XXXIV. LORD ETHALWOOD AND HIS SOLICITOR. “We have been singularly successful, my lord,” said Mr. Chicknell, after the detective had taken his departure. “We have not succeeded in finding your beloved daughter, but we have found your grandchild, who is beautiful, and who is moreover the image of her mother.” “How do you know? You have not seen her,” observed the earl. “That I admit, but Wrench has, and we can take his word.” “What does Mr. Wrench say about her husband?” “He says he is a fine handsome fellow. Not of high birth, it is true; but he is a superior man of his class.” “And what might that be?” “He is an engineer.” “Does his wife seem warmly attached to him?” The lawyer smiled. “I am a better judge, my lord, of the merits of a law case than of a lady’s affection,” he returned; “but from what I am given to understand the union between the two was what is termed a love match.” “Bah! a love match!” exclaimed the earl, with something like disgust. “A love match, indeed!” A silence of some minutes’ duration succeeded this last speech. The earl glanced at a portrait of one of his ancestors which hung on the wall of his room. He sighed, and said, sadly―― “It would seem that the Ethalwoods have fallen very low during my lifetime; their name is sullied, their honour tarnished. But I am not unmindful of the respect due to myself and my ancestors. I cannot and will not receive the husband of my grandchild in this house. A man of that kind is not fit companion for me or mine.” “I am sorry for this,” murmured the lawyer, “very sorry, but I suppose it cannot be helped. What do you propose then, my lord?” “At present it is not easy to determine upon my course of action, but I am resolved upon one point. Nothing whatever shall induce me to recognise this miserable mechanic. But I will adopt my grand-daughter, I will make her a wealthy heiress――she shall have the large fortune which I purposed dividing between my two sons, and I will also adopt her son. He shall be my heir, but this must be conditional.” “And what is that?” “She must live apart from her husband. There must be a separation――a legal one if it can be compassed. If not, they must part by mutual consent.” Mr. Chicknell made no reply. “Do you understand what I have been saying?” asked the earl, testily. “Oh yes, my lord, I comprehend most fully, but I cannot conceal from myself that there may be some difficulty in carrying out your views.” “None whatever. I can see no difficulty.” The lawyer shrugged his shoulders, but made no answer.