And what is the piece of business ?" "It is the old thing, monsieur.

A mystery to be unravelled.

Mr.Brenton here wishes to retain you in his case." "And what is his case ?" was the answer.
Lecocq was evidently pleased to have a bit of real work given him.
[Illustration: The detective.] Speed briefly recited the facts, Brenton correcting him now and then on little points where he was wrong.

Speed seemed to think these points immaterial, but Lecocq said that attention to trivialities was the whole secret of the detective business.
"Ah," said Lecocq, sorrowfully, "there is no real trouble in elucidating that mystery.

I hoped it would be something difficult; but, you see, with my experience of the old world, and with the privileges one enjoys in this world, things which might be difficult to one below are very easy for us.