"I says, sir," said Hurd, when again in the lawyer's private room, "that nautical gentleman of yours pawned that opal serpent twenty years ago more or less." "Never," said the monkey, screwing up his face and chewing. "Yes, indeed. The pawnbroker is an old man, but he remembers the customer quite well, and his description, allowing for the time that has elapsed, answers to the man who tried to get the jewels from you." Mr. Pash chewed meditatively, and then inflated his cheeks. "Pooh," he said, "twenty years is a long time. A man then, and a man now, would be quite different." "Some people never change," said Hurd, quietly. "You have not changed much, I suspect." "No," cackled the lawyer, rather amused. "I grew old young, and have never altered my looks." "Well, this nautical gentleman may be the same. He pawned the article under the name of David Green--a feigned one, I suspect." "Then you think he is guilty?" "I have to prove that the brooch came into his possession again before I can do that," said Hurd, grimly. "And, as the brooch was lost in the street by Mr. Beecot, I don't see what I can do. However, it is strange that a man connected with the pawning of the brooch so many years ago should suddenly start up again when the brooch is used in connection with a terrible crime." "It is strange. I congratulate you on having this case, Mr. Hurd. It is an interesting one to look into." "And a mighty difficult one," said Hurd, rather depressed. "I really don't see my way. I have got together all the evidence I can, but I fear the verdict at the inquest will be wilful murder against some person or persons unknown."