human
I know, old chap. But we mustn't go wandering down those particular primrose paths just now. You're a bully old boy, and I'd back you against every other man in the kingdom. And you've been a sort of a guardian angel and a blithering idiot all rolled into one! And that's a combination which I for one, have strong leanings for!... Now, then, what about it?
gpt
Any ideas, eh?
human
Not a single, at the moment. Have you?
gpt
Oh--several. But they're too uncertain at present for utterance. There's one thing I do know: That if I could find out certain items that went to the laundry from this household last week I'd know a great deal more than I do now. And I'd be able to nail--someone--with a good share in this beastly business. Also.... You saw Dollops, of course?
human
Yes. Young beggar!--he was on tenterhooks. Afraid some ghostly lady had caught you last night and hugged you to death, or some such rubbish. Until I assured him that your biceps were equal to all the ghosts in the world. Yes, I saw Dollops, all right. And he said he'd got work to do for you, or something. Some constable had called with a note early in the morning....
gpt
Yes--yes. Had he discovered what I asked him to?
human
My dear chap, he responded,
gpt
Crahn and Anchor
human
Deland, my dear chap, Deland, I beg of you! interposed Cleek hastily, whirling about with upraised hands.
gpt
Not a soul in the place knows who I really am. Even Highland fastnesses, you know, have their leaking spots--and I'll show you one of 'em by-and-by that'll make you sit up!... But he _did_ get it, the young beggar! Well, well, well! that points nearer home, anyway, and it'll be something to go on.... What's that? A clue? Well, perhaps, and perhaps not. Anyhow, it's not clue enough at present to hang any ideas on. But the stiletto's done the thing in one instance, and the air-pistol in the other. But how?--but where?--but---- Then he whirled around suddenly and stood a moment looking at the spinning wheel as though, of a sudden, it had actually come to life of its own accord, and then darting forward scanned the spindle.
human
H'm. Perhaps not the stiletto--perhaps _this_, and the peasant-girl story to make a cloak of! The points are much the same--stiletto or spindle? But--which?
gpt
What the dickens are you mumbling over? threw in Mr. Narkom at this juncture, as Cleek stood surveying this instrument of a by-gone year, and pinching his chin between thumb and forefinger thoughtfully the while.
human
Spindle? You don't suppose the spindle of _that_ thing could have anything to do with it, eh?
gpt
Stranger things have happened, my dear friend, though I'm inclined to think that in this case they have not! responded Cleek serenely.
human
The spindle theory is thin--deuced thin. But it's often in the thinnest material that the thickest things are hid.... Now, if we could only find the bloodstained article with which the stiletto was wiped, we'd settle that question once and for all. I-- Gad! yes, I remember now! I'll ask her later on what they were. H'm--ah! That's possibly where it is.