"It's dinner-time," he said. "Come round to Mrs. Goldmark's and get some grub. I'll tell you what to do while we're eating. I've been thinking things over while that there Parminter was badgering poor Zillah, and s'elp me, there only is one thing for you to do, and you'd best to do it sharp! But come on to Praed Street--don't matter if this here chap behind does shadow you--I can get the better of him as easy as I could sell this watch! It 'ud take all the detectives in London to beat me, if I put my mind to it." They were at Mrs. Goldmark's eating-house in five minutes: Melky, who knew all the ins and outs of that establishment, conducted Lauriston into an inner room, and to a corner wherein there was comparative privacy, and summoned a waitress. Not until he and his companion were half way through their meal did he refer to the business which was in his thoughts: then he leaned close to Lauriston and began to talk. "Mister!" he whispered. "Where do you come from?" "Peebles," answered Lauriston. "You heard me tell them so, in that court." "I'm no scholar," said Melky. "I ain't no idea where Peebles is, except that it's in Scotland. Is it far into that country, or where is it?" "Not far across the Border," replied Lauriston. "Get there in a few hours, I reckon?" asked Melky. "You could? Very well, then, mister, you take my tip--get there! Get there--quick!" Lauriston laid down his knife and fork and stared. "Whatever for?" he exclaimed. "To find somebody--anybody--as can prove that those rings are yours!" answered Melky solemnly and emphatically. "Tain't no use denying it--you're in a dangerous position. The police always goes for the straightest and easiest line. Their line was clear enough, just now--Parminter give it away! They've a theory--they always have a theory--and when once police gets a theory, nothing can drive it out o' their heads--their official heads, anyway. What they're saying, and what they'll try to establish, is this here. That you were hard up, down to less than your last penny. You went to Mr. Multenius's--you peeked and peered through the shop window and saw him alone, or, perhaps, saw the place empty. You went in--you grabbed a couple o' rings--he interrupted you--you scragged him! That's their line--and Zillah can't swear that those rings which you claim to be yours aren't her grandfather's, and up to now you can't prove that they're yours and were once your mother's! Mister!--be off to this here Peebles at once--immediate!--and find somebody, some old friend, as can swear that he or she--never mind which--knows them rings to be your property beyond a shadow of doubt! Bring that friend back--bring him if he has to come in an invalid carriage!" Lauriston was so much struck by Melky's argument and advice that it needed no more explanations to convince him of its wisdom.