Did you prolong it after the departure of this old man ?" "No, sir, I had had my fill of the mysterious, and left immediately after him.

Ashamed of the spirit of investigation which had led me to enter the house, I made a street boy the medium of my communication to the police, and would have been glad if I could have so escaped all responsibility in the matter.

But the irony of fate follows me as it does others.

A clew was left of my presence, which involves me in this affair, whether I will or no.

Was the hand of Providence in this?
Perhaps.