Mr Girtle sat looking at the officer, curiously. "Do you think," he said at last, "that these men committed the other robbery?" The detective's eyes twinkled, but not a muscle moved. "I should think it about certain, sir." "Have you got the man's companions?" "Yes, sir, both of them, safe enough." "Then as this man confessed one thing, I dare say he will the other. He is dying, you say?" "Yes, sir, no doubt about it; not so much from the sword cut, as from bad health--drink, and the like." "Then he must be seen to-day--at once, man. We may get to know from him where they have disposed of the treasure.--Such a large sum." "Yes, sir," the officer, quietly, taking out a note-book. "Now, don't you think, sir, you being a solicitor, it would have been better to let us do our work, and you do yours?" "What do you mean, sir?" "Only this, sir, that here's another thing. You've had a tremendous robbery here before, and we've known nothing about it till this minute, when you let it all out." Mr Girtle gave his knee an impatient blow. "Yes, sir, you let it out. When did it happen?" "At the time of that terrible affair in the house. You remember?" "Yes, sir, I took a good deal of notice of it at the time, sir; but I had nothing to do with the case. So a lot of money was taken, then?" Mr Girtle nodded. "I am not at liberty to say more. Mr Capel would not have the search made." "If you'll excuse me, sir, I'll give you another look in. Perhaps, to-morrow, you'll let me go over the place." He went away hurriedly, and straight off to the hospital, where he had a long interview with the sick man, obtaining all the information from him that he could, before compelled by the poor wretch's weakness to cease the inquisition. "A tremendous big sum, eh?" said the officer, to himself. "I should like to have the finding of that. They might be a bit generous to a man." CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. MR PREENHAM'S VISITOR. There was a kind of civil war carried on at the old house over the nursing back of Paul Capel to health. He suffered much, but a strong constitution and youth were fine odds in his favour, and he recovered, after passing the crisis, rapidly and well. And during these days Lydia suffered a martyrdom, seeing, as she did, how Katrine took advantage of Capel's weakness to tighten his bonds. The detective came, as he had promised, and saw the room and the window, making notes and a drawing thereof, and then going to the mews at the back, where he satisfied himself as to the means by which access had been obtained. The evidence of Paul Capel was taken by a magistrate at his bedside, as he was certified as unfit to be moved; and in due time the law meted out its punishment upon the two criminals left; but the detective was not at peace.