But he had not wasted his time, though he was more than metaphorically threadbare, and his waist would have made a sensation at a staymaker's.

He had watched and pondered on many curious cases for years; and one day, when a 'high-class' criminal had baffled the police and had well-nigh confounded the Attorney-General and proved himself a saint, the starving barrister had gone quietly to work in his own way, had discovered the truth, had taken his information to the prosecution, had been the means of sending the high-class one to penal servitude, and had covered himself with glory; since when he had grown sleek and well-liking, if not rich, as a professional detective.
Griggs had been perfectly frank, and had told without hesitation all he could remember of the circumstances.

In answer to further questions he said he knew Mr.Van Torp tolerably well, and had not seen him in the Opera House on the evening of the murder.

He did not know whether the financier's character was violent.

If it was, he had never seen any notable manifestation of temper.