"'Not at all. It only proves that we have cunning persons to work against. I am all the more determined to track this mystery down.' He opened the bedroom door, and exclaimed, 'Here is direct evidence. The fellow has not been so careful in this room. Chairs have been moved, the bedclothes are disturbed. Why, where is the revolver?' "He referred to the revolver which he had found beneath the pillows, and which he had replaced. It had been abstracted. Inwardly he congratulated himself that he had not only taken a full note of the description of the weapon, but had also scratched the initial,'F.' on the metal. He took, out his pocketbook and turned to the page upon which he had made an entry. "'Listen to this, Mrs. Middlemore, and be thankful that you have a friend like me on your side: "A Colt's double action revolver, nickel-plated, six shots, No. 819." I can swear to that revolver, and moreover can swear that it was loaded. Are you satisfied now that you have been imposed upon, and that the man who visited you came upon a bogus errand?' "'Of course I am, sir, but what could 'ave been 'is objec'--'Oh, what could 'ave been 'is objec'?' "'That has yet to be discovered, and discovered it shall be. The abstraction of this revolver may assist us. The fellow does not dream that I have its description here, and that it can be sworn to. Surely he was not dressed as a policeman?' "'No, sir, he sed he was a private officer.' "'And you believed him?' "Again Mrs. Middlemore moaned, 'What else could I do, sir? what else could I do? He spoke that confident and easy that an angel would 'ave believed what he sed.' "'Don't be taken in again. Be just a little more careful in your dealings with strangers.' "'I will, sir, I will.' "'I don't see that I can do any good by remaining here. I should like, though, to take down from your lips a description of the man. You can give it to me, I hope?' "'I can, sir. A tall man, very thin, with a long thin face and thick black eyebrows.' "'Is that all?' "'All I can remember, sir.' "Our reporter wrote the words in his pocketbook, and asked, 'Can you tell me how he was dressed?' "'Only that he had dark clothes on.' "'You would know him again if you saw him?' "'I could swear to him, sir.' "'Come, that is a satisfaction. You can swear to the man, and I can swear to the revolver. Two direct pieces of evidence, if we can lay hands upon them.' "Sophy unexpectedly presented herself as an additional witness. 'I can swear to 'im too,' she said. "'Ah, Sophy, you are invaluable,' said our reporter. "'Didn't I say the slut was telling us a parcel of lies?' cried Mrs. Middlemore, making a movement as though she were about to fall upon the girl. "'Easy, Mrs. Middlemore, easy,' said our reporter, holding the housekeeper back. 'Let us hear what Sophy has to say.'