“Her idea is that before that house lets again £2 will have to be taken off, instead of being put on, the rent. I agree with her, for I can hear of nobody who has a good word for the house, except perhaps the postman, who told me, as we trudged together through the mud, that ‘it wasn’t a bad place in his view of it. The Thompsons did not trouble him much—they had very few letters.’
“A neighbour says that when the Thompsons came their house was a treat to look at, Mr. Thompson filling all the front windows with choice and costly flowers, which he carefully tended and watered with his own hands.
“People at Peckham are beginning to be a trifle impatient with inquisitive strangers who want to know about their most famous character. On my first visit to Peckham I looked in on the gentleman who combines the duties connected with her Majesty’s mails with dispensing flour and other household necessities to her Majesty’s females.
“I asked him if he knew and could tell me where ‘Mr. Smith’ lived—the party who had let the house to Mr. Thompson? This gentleman shut me up very sharp.
“‘I know where Mr. Smith lives, but I don’t think I would be justified in telling you, as you would only be bothering him like the rest.’
“I left that establishment with a feeling that my introduction to the natives of Peckham was not encouraging. A few yards further on I saw Mr. Smith’s address ln the windows of half-a-dozen empty houses, the notices inviting people to apply to ‘Mr. Smith, Ryde Villas, St. Mary’s-road.’
“I accepted the invitation, and found Mr. Smith a most obliging and very communicative gentleman.
HOW PEACE WAS FOUND OUT.
“I find the police scout the idea that the man ‘Ward’ was discovered through the jealousy of Mrs. Thompson, the younger of the ‘housekeepers’ at Peckham, and the professed wife of Peace.
“Those who had to do with the case told me that they had no information whatever from Mrs. Thompson, who never communicated with them, but disappeared as she sniffed danger.