The Sergeant went on: "For the last twenty years," he said, "I have been largely employed in cases of family scandal, acting in the capacity of confidential man.

The one result of my domestic practice which has any bearing on the matter now in hand, is a result which I may state in two words.

It is well within my experience, that young ladies of rank and position do occasionally have private debts which they dare not acknowledge to their nearest relatives and friends.

Sometimes, the milliner and the jeweller are at the bottom of it.

Sometimes, the money is wanted for purposes which I don't suspect in this case, and which I won't shock you by mentioning.