"It doesn't signify," said Mr. Longcluse; "I wanted to see that your memory was pretty clear on the subject. You seem to remember all that passed pretty accurately." "I recollect it perfectly well, Sir." "H'm! That will do. Franklin, you'll remember that description--let every one of you remember it. It is the description of a thief; and when you see that fellow again, hold him fast till you put him in the hands of a policeman. And, Charles, you must be prepared, d'ye see, to swear to that description; for I am going to the detective office, and I shall give it to the police." "Yes, Sir," answered Charles. "I sha'n't want you, Franklin; let some one call a cab." So he returned to his dressing-room, and shut the door, and thought--"That's the fellow whom that miserable little fool, Lebas, pointed out to me at the saloon last night. He watched him, he said, wherever he went. _I_ saw him. There may be other circumstances. That is the fellow--that is the very man. Here's matter to think over! By heaven! that fellow must be denounced, and discovered, and brought to justice. It is a strong case--a pretty hanging case against him. We shall see." Full of surmises about his lost boot, _Atra Cura_ walking unheard behind him, with her cold hand on his shoulder, and with the image of the ex-detective always gliding before or beside him, and peering with an odious familiarity over his shoulder into his face, Mr. Longcluse marched eastward with a firm tread and a cheerful countenance. Friends who nodded to him, as he walked along Piccadilly, down Saint James's Street, and by Pall Mall, citywards, thought he had just been listening to an amusing story. Others, who, more deferentially, saluted the great man as he walked lightly by Temple Bar, towards Ludgate Hill, for a moment perplexed themselves with the thought, "What stock is up, and what down, on a sudden, to-day, that Longcluse looks so radiant?" CHAPTER IX. THE MAN WITHOUT A NAME. Mr. Longcluse had made up his mind to a certain course--a sharp and bold one. At the police office he made inquiry. "He understood a man had been lately dismissed from the force, answering to a certain description, which he gave them; and he wished to know whether he was rightly informed, because a theft had been that morning committed at his house by a man whose appearance corresponded, and against whom he hoped to have sufficient evidence." "Yes, a man like that had been dismissed from the detective department within the last fortnight." "What was his name?" Mr. Longcluse asked. "Paul Davies, Sir." "If it should turn out to be the same, I may have a more serious charge to bring against him," said Mr. Longcluse. "Do you wish to go before his worship, and give an information, Sir?" urged the officer, invitingly. "Not quite ripe for that yet," said Mr. Longcluse, "but it is likely very soon." "And what might be the nature of the more serious charge, Sir?" inquired the officer, insinuatingly.