"He stood by her side while she gazed upon the wonderful sight, too little appreciated by those who are familiar with it. The moon was shining brightly, and the heavens were dotted with stars; long lines of lights were shining in the water, animated as it were with a mysterious spiritual life by the shifting currents of the river. It was at this moment that Sophy gave expression to a remarkable effort at grammar. "'I say, 'ow 'igh the Thames are!' "Our reporter was amused, and did not correct her. 'Yes, Sophy, the river has reached an unusual height. And now, little one, as time is flying, let us proceed to business.' "Sophy, brought down to earth, retired from the window, and stood by the table, at which our reporter seated himself. He could not prevail upon her to take a chair. "'I can talk better standing,' she said. 'Before I tell what I got to tell, I'd like to know wot aunt said of me when you and 'er was up in Mr. Felix's rooms this morning. You know. When I'd jest got out of bed.' "'Nothing very particular, Sophy,' said our reporter, 'except that you were a sound sleeper.' "'You arksed 'er that?' said Sophy, shrewdly. "'Yes, You see, Sophy, I was naturally anxious to learn all I could of the strange disappearance of M. Felix's body. It was there last night when you and your aunt went to bed; it was not there this morning when you got up.' "'Aunt couldn't tell yer much.' "'She could tell me nothing. She went to bed, and though she has passed bad nights this week----' "'Oh, she sed that, did she?' "'Yes.' "'Meaning that she don't sleep much?' "'Yes, that undoubtedly was her meaning.' "'Well, go on, please,' said Sophy. "'Though she has passed bad nights lately, it was a fact that last night she slept very soundly. Then the idea occurred to me to come down and ask you whether you had heard anything in the night--because, you know, Sophy, that M. Felix's body could not have disappeared from the house without some sound being made. We do not live in an age of miracles. The body could not have flown up the chimney, or made its way through thick walls. There is only one way it could have been got out, and that was through the street door.' "'Right you are,' said Sophy. "'Now, Sophy, I am sure you are a sensible little girl, and that I can open my mind freely to you.' "'You can that. I ain't much to look at, but I ain't quite a fool neither.' "'I am certain you are not. I cannot tell you how deeply I am interested in this mysterious affair, and how much I desire to get at the bottom of it. Whoever assists me to do this will not repent it, and somehow or other I have an idea that you can help me. If you can, I will be a real good friend to you.' "You've been that already, the best I ever sor. I took you in once this morning, and I ain't going to do it agin.' "'How did you take me in, Sophy?' "'I told yer I didn't wake up last night, didn't I?' "'You did, Sophy.' "'And that I didn't 'ear no noise?' "'Yes.'