"Bring 'em all in!" ordered the superior official, a little surlily. "Let's hear what it's all about!" Purdie presently appeared in Ayscough's rear, preceding his two companions. He and the detective from New Scotland Yard exchanged nods; they had seen a good deal of each other the previous day. He nodded also to the superior official--but the superior official looked at Lauriston. "Got that proof about those rings?" he enquired. "Of course, if you have--" "Before Mr. Lauriston says anything about that," interrupted Purdie, "I want you to hear a story which this gentleman, Mr. Stuyvesant Guyler, of New York, can tell you. It's important--it bears right on this affair. If you just listen to what he can tell--" The two detectives listened to Guyler's story about the platinum studs with eager, if silent interest: in the end they glanced at each other and then at the local official, who seemed to be going through a process of being convinced against his will. "Just what I said a few minutes ago," muttered the New Scotland Yard man. "A highly complicated affair! Not going to be got at in five minutes." "Nor in ten!" said Ayscough laconically. He glanced at Guyler. "You could identify this man Purvis if you saw him?" he asked. "Why, certainly!" answered the American. "I guess if he's the man who was seen in that eating-house the other day he's not altered any--or not much." The man at the desk turned to Purdie, glancing at Lauriston. "About those rings?" he asked. "What's Mr. Lauriston got to say?" "Let me tell," said Purdie, as Lauriston was about to speak. "Mr. Lauriston," he went on, "has been to Peebles, where his father and mother lived. He has seen an old friend of theirs, Mrs. Taggart, who remembers the rings perfectly. Moreover, she knows that they were given to the late Mrs. Lauriston by a Mr. Edward Killick, a London solicitor, who, of course, will be able to identify them. As to the marks, I think you'll find a trade explanation of that--those rings and the rings in Multenius's tray probably came from the same maker. Now, I find, on looking through the directory, that this Mr. Edward Killick has retired from practice, but I've also found out where he now lives, and I propose to bring him here. In the meantime--I want to know what you're going to do about Mr. Lauriston? Here he is!" The superior official glanced at the New Scotland Yard man. "I suppose your people have taken this job entirely in hand, now?" he asked. "Entirely!" answered the detective. "Got any instructions about Mr. Lauriston?" asked the official. "You haven't? Mr. Lauriston's free to go where he likes, then, as far as we're concerned, here," he added, turning to Purdie. "But--he'd far better stay at hand till all this is cleared up." "That's our intention," said Purdie. "Whenever you want Mr. Lauriston, come to me at my hotel--he's my guest there, and I'll produce him. Now we're going to find Mr. Killick."