“Oh, his old caper—​smashing.”

“Are you going to pull the string this evening, then?”

“Yes, in less than half an hour.”

“And after then?”

“Oh, well, then I shall be at your service.”

“Very good then, I’ll wait here for you—​shall I?”

“Just as you like; or you may go with me, if you prefer it.”

“I should much prefer it—​very much.”

The two detectives in a few minutes after this sallied forth from Sanderson’s hotel in quest of the “smasher.”

“He’s an old hand, I suppose,” said Mr. Shearman.