"'I am infinitely obliged to you,' said our reporter, 'We'll keep the matter to ourselves at present, and if there's any reward offered for the recovery of the body, or for any information that may lead to its recovery, it shall be yours, Sophy, every farthing of it.'
"Sophy's eyes glistened as she said, 'If they arsks me, then, why I adn't spoke before, I'll tell 'em I was too frightened by wot the burguler sed he'd do to me if I sed anythink about it.'
"'That excuse will do nicely. Did you hear the sound of many feet?'
"'I think it was only one man as was moving about,' replied Sophy, after a little consideration.
"'How do we account, then, for there being more than one man concerned in this singular robbery?'
"'Per'aps there wasn't more than one,' suggested Sophy quickly, 'and in course he 'ad to carry the body. It couldn't walk of itself, being dead.'
"'Quite so, my young logician--a compliment Sophy. Before you put up the chain, did you look out into the street?'
"'I didn't dare to.'
"'Then you don't know if there was a cab or a cart waiting at the door?'
"'I don't, sir.'