Peace was greatly relieved when he heard that the good gentleman had been removed to a happier sphere, since it would have been rather awkward if he had presented himself and not taken the same humane view of the case that his better half had done.
“Ah!” ejaculated our hero, “life is uncertain, and there is no telling how soon we may go.” Here he cast his eyes up towards the ceiling, and endeavoured to look sentimental. “The loss of a dear relative, and especially a husband, is a sad trial.”
“It is,” returned the widow; “especially when one has to mourn the loss of so good a husband as mine was.”
“I am pleased to hear you speak so well of him—it does you great credit,” observed Peace, in a sanctimonious manner. “By the way,” he added, “do you see those wretched men lurking about?”
“No, I don’t see anything of them now,” she answered as she peered through the window curtain. “They appear to have gone.”
“So much the better,” said Peace.
The two detectives, not being able to see anything of the man whom they had been so industriously seeking, went into several known houses which they knew to be the haunts of thieves, but were equally unsuccessful in their search. They lingered about the neighbourhood after this for some considerable time and then took their departure, being about as wise as they were when they first entered the house in the occupation of the astute Mr. Simmonds.
But Charles Peace, who was a tolerably good judge of the proceedings of detectives of every conceivable description, did not deem it advisable to sally forth just at present; he, therefore, continued in friendly discourse with the woman who had been of such essential service to him.
He placed a sovereign on the table, of which he begged her acceptance; but, although she was not by any means in affluent circumstances, she declined to accept of the gratuity.
Peace, however, would not take any denial, and said he should be greatly hurt and mortified if she did not permit him to prevail upon her to accept of some small recompense for services rendered.