"We'll talk of the plate robbery another time," said the officer; "you have got these bracelets on, my man, for another sort of bracelet. A diamond one. Don't you remember it?"
The prisoner's mouth fell. "I thought that was over and done with, all this time—— I don't know what you mean," he added, correcting himself.
"No," said the officer, "it is just beginning. The bracelet is found, and has been traced to you. You were a clever fellow, Joe, and I had my doubts of you at the time, you know. I thought then you were too clever to go on long."
"I should be ashamed to play the sneak, and catch a fellow in this way," cried Joe, driven to exasperation. "Why couldn't you come openly, in your proper clothes—not playing the spy in the garb of a friendly civilian?"
"My men are in their proper clothes,'" was the equable answer, "and you will have the honour of their escort presently. I came in because they did not know you, and I did. You might have had a host of friends around you here."
"Three officers to take a single man, and he a skeleton!" retorted Nicholls, with a great show of indignation.
"Ay; but you were powerful once, and ferocious too. The skeleton aspect is a recent one."
"And to be took for nothing! I know naught of any bracelet."
"Don't trouble yourself with inventions, Nicholls. Your friend is safe in our hands, and has made a full confession."
"What friend?" asked Nicholls, too eagerly.