"Very well," continued Purdie. "Then I want to make a suggestion to you. It seems to me that the wisest course is for you and me to go straight to the police authorities, and tell them frankly that Lauriston has gone to get evidence that those rings are really his property, and that he'll return in a day or two with that evidence. That will probably satisfy them--I think I can add a bit more that will help further. We don't want it to be thought that the lad's run away rather than face a possible charge of murder, you know!" "I see your point, mister, I see your point!" agreed Melky. "I'm with you!--I ain't no objection to that. Of course, there ain't no need to tell the police precisely where he has gone--what?" "Not a bit!" said Purdie. "But I'll make myself responsible to them for his re-appearance. Now--did you and he arrange anything about communicating with each other?" "Yes," replied Melky. "If anything turns up this next day or two I'm to wire to him at the post-office, Peebles. If he finds what he wants, he'll wire to me, here, at once." "Good!" said Purdie. "Now, here's another matter. You've mentioned Mr. Spencer Levendale and this book which was so strangely left at the pledge-office. I happen to know Mr. Levendale--pretty well." "You do, mister!" exclaimed Melky. "Small world, ain't it, now?" "I met Mr. Spencer Levendale last September--two months ago," continued Purdie. "He was staying at an hotel in the Highlands, with his children and their governess: I was at the same hotel, for a month--he and I used to go fishing together. We got pretty friendly, and he asked me to call on him next time I was in town. Here I am--and when we've been to the police, I'm going to Sussex Square--to tell him I'm a friend of Lauriston's, that Lauriston is in some danger over this business, and to ask him if he can tell me more about--that book!" Melky jumped up and wrung his visitor's hand. "Mister!--you're one o' the right sort," he said fervently. "That there book has something to do with it! My idea is that the man what carried that book into the shop is the man what scragged my poor old relative--fact, mister! Levendale, he wouldn't tell us anything much this morning--maybe he'll tell you more. Stand by Lauriston, mister!--we'll pull him through." "You seem very well disposed towards him," remarked Purdie. "He's evidently taken your fancy." "And my cousin Zillah's," answered Melky, with a confidential grin. "Zillah--loveliest girl in all Paddington, mister--she's clear gone on the young fellow! And--a word in your ear, mister!--Zillah's been educated like a lady, and now that the old man's gone, Zillah'll have--ah! a fortune that 'ud make a nigger turn white! And no error about it! See it through, mister!"