It was the detective's turn to become thoughtful. He had made a most extraordinary discovery—indeed, in his own mind he had found an heir to millions in this modest and hitherto unfortunate woman. Jack meditated for a long time, and Mrs. Speir at length asked:
"Will you tell me, sir, what this all means? I know you are not wasting time. You know or suspect something. Is it possible that after all these years I am to learn who my parents were?"
The woman spoke in the plural, and the detective, desiring to be evasive, could safely say:
"I fear, madam, that is a mystery that can never be wholly solved, but I have something to show you."
The detective always carried the photograph with him, and our readers will understand later the story of the photograph. He showed the picture to the woman, and she almost fainted, so intense was her agitation. Jack observed her agitation, and there came a look of triumph in his face. He could discern, as he believed, that after all he had made a successful "shadow."
"Where did you get this picture?" demanded the woman, in an agitated tone.
"You recognize it?"
"I do."
"You knew the original?"
"I did."