He jumped out of his chair, and hit me such a smack on the shoulder that I thought he had gone mad.
"By Jupiter!" he cried out, "we have got the whip-hand of that she-devil at last." I looked at him in astonishment.
"Why, man alive," he said, "don't you see how it is?
Josephine's the thief! I am as sure of it as that you and I are talking together.

This vile accusation against your mistress answers another purpose besides the vindictive one--it is the very best screen that the wretch could possibly set up to hide herself from detection.

It has stopped your mistress and you from moving in the matter; it exhibits her in the false character of an honest witness against a couple of criminals; it gives her time to dispose of the goods, or to hide them, or to do anything she likes with them.

Stop! let me be quite sure that I know what the lost things are.

A pair of bracelets, three rings, and a lot of lace pocket-handkerchiefs--is that what you said ?" "Yes, sir." "Your mistress will describe them particularly, and I will take the right steps the first thing to-morrow morning.