For reasons which I won't trouble you with, I decided on making any sacrifice rather than give the alarm as soon as to-night to a certain person who shall be nameless between us.

I came back to the house to ask you to take me to the north end of the beach by another way.

Sand--in respect of its printing off people's footsteps--is one of the best detective officers I know.

If we don't meet with Rosanna Spearman by coming round on her in this way, the sand may tell us what she has been at, if the light only lasts long enough.

Here IS the sand.
If you will excuse my suggesting it--suppose you hold your tongue, and let me go first ?" If there is such a thing known at the doctor's shop as a DETECTIVE-FEVER, that disease had now got fast hold of your humble servant.