If he
didn't do that--if he left that silk coverlet behind him anywhere, I
consider his game as good as up. That is just the kind of thing that a
police-officer gets his clue from. There's been more murders and
burglaries found out from an old coat, or a pair of old shoes, or a
walking-stick, or such like, than you could count in a day. I shan't
make any stir about the child just yet, my lady: but before forty-eight
hours are over our heads, I'll have a handbill posted in every town in
England, and an advertisement in every newspaper, offering five pounds
reward for that dark blue silk coverlet you talk of, lined with
crimson."
"There seems considerable wisdom in the idea," said the captain,
thoughtfully. "It would never have occurred to me to advertise for the
coverlet."
"I don't suppose it would," answered the great Larkspur, with a slight
touch of sarcasm in his tone. "It has took me a matter of thirty years
to learn my business; and it ain't to be supposed as my knowledge will
come to other folks natural."
"You are right, Mr. Larkspur," replied the captain, smiling at the
police-officer's air of offended dignity; "and since you seem to be
thoroughly equal to the difficulties of the situation, I think we can
scarcely do better than trust ourselves entirely to your discretion."
"I don't think you'll have any occasion to repent your confidence,"
said Mr.
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