If he could only make sure of that millionaire friend of Minchin! In his own mind he was all but sure, but his own mind was too elastic by half.
Crofts was drumming on the blotting-pad in front of him; all of a sudden Langholm noticed that it had a diary attached.
"Minchin's diary wasn't one like yours, was it ?" he exclaimed.
"The same thing," said Mr.Crofts.
"Then I should like to see it." "There's not a word written in it; one of you chaps overhauled it at the time." "Never mind!" "Well, then, it's in the top long drawer of the desk he used to use--if my clerk has not appropriated it to his own use." Langholm held his breath as he went to the drawer in question.

In another instant his breath escaped him in a sigh of thankfulness.

The "Universal Diary" (for the year before) was there, sure enough.

And it was attached to a pink blotter precisely similar to that upon which Mr.
Crofts still drummed with idle fingers.
"Anything more I can show you ?" inquired that worthy, humorously.
Langholm was gazing intently, not at the diary, but at the pink blotting-paper.

Suddenly he looked up.
"You say that was the last letter he ever wrote in your office ?" "The very last." "Then--yes--you can show me a looking-glass if you have one!" Crofts had a small one on his chimney-piece.
"By the Lord Harry," said he, handing it, "but you tip-top 'tecs are a leery lot!".