Lauriston and Purdie exchanged glances--by common consent Purdie became spokesman for the two. "Mr. Killick," he said, "it's precisely about a matter arising out of that illness of yours that we came to see you! Let me explain something first--Andie Lauriston here has been living in London for two years--he's a literary gift, and he hopes to make a name, and perhaps a fortune. I've succeeded to my father's business, and I'm only here in London on a visit. And it's well I came, for Andie wanted a friend. Now, Mr. Killick, before I go further--have you read in the newspapers about what's called the Praed Street Mystery?" The old gentleman shook his head. "My dear young sir!" he answered, waving his hand towards his books. "I'm not a great newspaper reader--except for a bit of politics. I never read about mysteries--I've wrapped myself up in antiquarian pursuits since I retired. No!--I haven't read about the Praed Street Mystery--nor even heard of it! I hope neither of you are mixed up in it?" "Considerably!" answered Purdie. "In more ways than one. And you can be of great help. Mr. Killick--when you left Peebles after your illness, you sent Mrs. Lauriston a present of two valuable rings. Do you remember?" "Perfectly--of course!" replied the old gentleman. "To be sure!" "Can you remember, too, from whom you bought those rings?" enquired Purdie eagerly. "Yes!--as if it were yesterday!" said Mr. Killick. "I bought them from a City jeweller whom I knew very well at that time--a man named Daniel Molteno!" CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE MR. KILLICK'S OPINION The old solicitor's trained eye and quick intelligence saw at once that this announcement immediately conveyed some significant meaning to his two young visitors. Purdie and Lauriston, in fact, had immediately been struck by the similarity of the names Molteno and Multenius, and they exchanged another look which their host detected and knew to convey a meaning. He leaned forward in his chair. "Now, that strikes you--both!" he said. "What's all this about? Better give me your confidence." "That's precisely what we came here to do, sir," responded Purdie, with alacrity. "And with your permission I'll tell you the whole story. It's a long one, and a complicated one, Mr. Killick!--but I daresay you've heard many intricate stories in the course of your legal experience, and you'll no doubt be able to see points in this that we haven't seen. Well, it's this way--and I'll begin at the beginning." The old gentleman sat in an attitude of patient and watchful attention while Purdie, occasionally prompted and supplemented by Lauriston, told the whole story of the Praed Street affair, from Lauriston's first visit to the pawnshop up to the events of that morning. Once or twice he asked a question; one or twice he begged the narrator to pause while he considered a point: in the end he drew out his watch--after which he glanced out of his window.