My lady pointed to two chairs, and we set in for our conference immediately.
"I have already formed an opinion on this case," says Sergeant Cuff, "which I beg your ladyship's permission to keep to myself for the present.

My business now is to mention what I have discovered upstairs in Miss Verinder's sitting-room, and what I have decided (with your ladyship's leave) on doing next." He then went into the matter of the smear on the paint, and stated the conclusions he drew from it--just as he had stated them (only with greater respect of language) to Superintendent Seegrave.

"One thing," he said, in conclusion, "is certain.

The Diamond is missing out of the drawer in the cabinet.

Another thing is next to certain.