The two men passed through the doors into the great library whilst Thresk took a more ceremonious leave of Mrs.Pettifer; and as Hazlewood opened the drawers of his cabinets Robert Pettifer said in a whisper: "That was a pretty good failure, I must say.

And it was my idea too." "Yes," replied Hazlewood in a voice as low.

"What do you think ?" "That they share no secret." "You are satisfied then ?" "I didn't say that"; and Thresk himself appeared in the doorway and went across to the writing-table upon which Hazlewood had just laid a drawer in which miniatures were ranged.
"I haven't met you," said Pettifer, "since you led for us in the great Birmingham will-suit." "No," answered Thresk as he took his seat at the table.

"It wasn't quite such a tough fight as I expected.

You see there wasn't one really reliable witness for the defence." "No," said Pettifer grimly.