"In my opinion a most important thing.

It's my decided conviction that in this case we've got to offer a reward--no mere trifling sum, but one that'll set a few fingers tingling.

And it's my concern, and the Princess's, and Miss Lennard's.

And if you'll permit us three to have a quiet talk in yon corner of your room, I'll tell you its result when we've finished." The result of that quiet talk--chiefly conducted by Allerdyke with masculine force and vigour--was that by noon of next day the exterior of every London police-station attracted vast attention by reason of a freshly-posted bill.

It was a long bill, and it set out the surface particulars of three murders, and of two robberies in connection therewith.