Mrs. Maitland narrated to him all the circumstances connected with the young girl Aveline, whom she had adopted and brought up as her daughter.
She explained to him how she had fallen into her hands when little more than an infant; explained to him also the accident on the line, how the mother and daughter were brought into the infirmary at Derby, with the death of the former, together with all those particulars which the reader has read in an earlier portion of this work.
Mr. Wrenoh was charmed—he was perfectly delighted with the successful nature of his visit, and felt perfectly assured that he was on the right scent.
“And the trinkets—the articles of jewellery, madame,” said he, “are you still in possession of them?”
“Oh, yes. Nothing would have induced me to part with them, except to those who require them for the purpose of identification.”
“Quite right, madam. I presume you will have no objection to intrust them to my care for a few days? They are quite safe in my hands. It will be needful for Lord Ethalwood to examine them.”
“Cannot you do so? I will fetch them at once.”
The old lady went upstairs, unlocked an iron safe in which the trinkets were deposited, and returned with them into the parlour.
She placed them before the detective, who examined each article carefully.
“Well, what do you make of them?” inquired his companion.