We accordingly ascended the stairs to the room above, where we selected our table and sat down.

My companion was a witty little man with half the languages of Europe on his tongue, and a knowledge of all the tricks and dodges of all the criminal fraternity at his finger-ends.

He has since written a book on his experiences, and a stranger volume, or one more replete with a knowledge of the darker side of human nature it would be difficult to find.

He had commenced his professional career as a doctor, and like myself had gradually drifted into the detective profession.

Among other things he was an inimitable hand at disguising himself, as many a wretched criminal now knows to his cost.