He quite understood about the thousand pounds that had so mysteriously disappeared, and he had learned now for the first time from Susan that her brother, having dissipated every penny of it, had latterly returned and endeavoured to sponge upon her.
‘I lost the money that time,’ said Mr. Duck to himself, with a chuckle; ‘but if I can pump him, and get the names of his accomplices from him, I shall make a thousand out of the relationship yet.’
The next morning the fates were propitious. Mr. Turvey, having been offered a passage abroad and a little ready money to get drunk with when he landed, communicated to Jabez the whole history of the great gold robbery.
A couple of days later Mr. Duck saw his promising brother-in-law safe on board a vessel bound for the colonies, and he then immediately proceeded to put his plans into execution.
Having ascertained that the large rewards offered at the time had never been withdrawn, he placed himself in communication with the authorities at Scotland-yard.
The only men accused by Jabez were Seth Preene and Josh Heckett. For some reason, possibly because in the muddled and drink-sodden condition of his brain he had forgotten the other parties to the robbery, Turvey, the guard, had named only the two men who had ridden in his van and taken an active part in the robbery. On Jabez’s information warrants for the apprehension of Preene and Heckett were issued and given to one of the principal detectives to execute. His orders were to proceed with the utmost caution, as the evidence was of the weakest possible description, and to make his own investigation before making an arrest.
He certainly did act with caution, for the very first person to whom he confided the secret of his mission was his old friend, Mr. Seth Preene.
‘I suppose I’d better hook it?’ said Mr. Preene.
‘I think so,’ said the detective. ‘As soon as you’re safe away I can collar Josh. He’ll do for me.’