Dearly would Mrs. Slade have liked to develop her embryo quarrel, for she loved a few high words, "just to clear the air," as she put it. But an indulgence to this extent meant that her curiosity might not be gratified--it might possibly even jeopardize the contemplated transfer to Poldew; so with great and praiseworthy self-denial she curbed her tongue, and nodded to her husband to continue. "Mr. Mayne," said Slade, with a scowl at her, "told me as 'ow Mr. Johnson was in love with this girl, and she ran away from 'im, not forgettin' to take three thousand pounds' worth of pearls with 'er." "Lor'! you don't say?" screeched Mrs. Slade, her eyes starting out of her head. "Mr. Johnson says she run away," added Jeremiah; "but I ain't read my books for nothin'. Them as does the deed always tells lies." His voice was veritably tragic now. "If she did run away, Jemima, she only got as far as that there cornfield. There, in the dark night, the villain strangled 'er in all her youthful beauty" (this was clearly the influence of the detective novelist), "an' stole the jewels to pay 'is debts." "Lor'!" cried Mrs. Slade again, "you don't say as Mr. Johnson has debts?" "All Grimleigh couldn't pay what he owes. Oh! 'e is the murderer, right enough, Jemima; so I'm a-goin' to see Mr. Brand, and find out what 'e knows about this parson chap. Then I'll call on 'im, and 'ave a squint round 'is parlour." "You ain't likely to find nothing there." "Don't you be so mighty sure about that, missus; I might find them pearls!" "Lor', Jeremiah, what a great man you are! And will you tell all this to Mr. Chard?" "Not till I have a complete case against Mr. Johnson. When I 'ave, then I'll go to him, and I'll say, 'Thou art the man!' and run 'im in. Then we'll go to Poldew." "Oh, can't I help, Jeremiah?" "Well," said the policeman, in a patronizing tone, "you might see Mrs. Johnson, and pick up what yer can. She's an old lady as talks freely; so find out if the nigger girl and Johnson 'ad a row. That'll be strong circumstanshal evidence, any'ow." "I'll do it, Jeremiah; I'll do it! I can easy take up some fish as a gift to Mrs. Johnson. I've met her two or three times, and she's got a friendly side to me." "Mind you're careful, Jemima--and, above all, 'old your tongue." Enunciating these words in his most majestic manner, the new Vidocq put on his helmet, and left Jemima doing her best to cork up the information she had received. No easy task for a lady with a tongue excessively developed longitudinally.