Their characters are now to be considered as cleared up.

What remains to be privately investigated is the question of the guilt or innocence of Mr.Jay.Before we give up the notes for lost, we must make sure, if we can, that he knows nothing about them.
This is the plan that I have adopted, with the full approval of Mr.and Mrs.Yatman, for discovering whether Mr.Jay is or is not the person who has stolen the cash-box: I propose to-day to present myself at the house in the character of a young man who is looking for lodgings.

The back room on the second floor will be shown to me as the room to let, and I shall establish myself there to-night as a person from the country who has come to London to look for a situation in a respectable shop or office.
By this means I shall be living next to the room occupied by Mr.Jay.
The partition between us is mere lath and plaster.

I shall make a small hole in it, near the cornice, through which I can see what Mr.Jay does in his room, and hear every word that is said when any friend happens to call on him.

Whenever he is at home, I shall be at my post of observation; whenever he goes out, I shall be after him.