He's pretty sure to come in some time to-day." "Then the five thousand constables weren't no use ?" said Mrs.
Bunting slowly.
She had relaxed her grip of the table, and was standing more upright.
"No use at all," said Bunting briefly.

"He is artful and no mistake about it.

But wait a minute--" he turned and took up the paper which he had laid aside, on a chair.

"Yes they says here that they has a clue." "A clue, Bunting ?" Mrs.Bunting spoke in a soft, weak, die-away voice, and again, stooping somewhat, she grasped the edge of the table.
But her husband was not noticing her now.

He was holding the paper close up to his eyes, and he read from it, in a tone of considerable satisfaction: "'It is gratifying to be able to state that the police at last believe they are in possession of a clue which will lead to the arrest of the--'" and then Bunting dropped the paper and rushed round the table.
His wife, with a curious sighing moan, had slipped down on to the floor, taking with her the tablecloth as she went.