"And how long ago did this occur?"
"Nigh onto seventeen years ago, sir."
"And Renie is about eighteen years old?"
"Thereabouts, sir."
"It is not likely that she will ever be claimed."
"Hardly, sir."
"It is not likely that the box will ever be found."
"Hardly, sir."
There was one man, however, who dissented from the latter opinion; the detective in his own mind resolved that he would find that box, if it took him years to trace it; meantime the man Garcia opened his scheme.
"Tom, you must let me have the girl."