This small mistake being detected, Mr.Solmes, _porteur_ of the little billet, would have been consigned to the custody of a Bow-street officer, but that I found means to relieve him, on condition of his making known to me the points of private history which I have just been communicating to you.

What I had known of Tyrrel at Smyrna, had given me much interest in him, and you may guess it was not lessened by the distresses which he had sustained through his brother's treachery.

By this fellow's means, I have counterplotted all his master's fine schemes.

For example, as soon as I learned Bulmer was coming down here, I contrived to give Tyrrel an anonymous hint, well knowing he would set off like the devil to thwart him, and so I should have the whole dramatis personae together, and play them all off against each other, after my own pleasure." "In that case," said Mr.Mowbray, "your expedient brought about the rencontre between the two brothers, when both might have fallen." "Can't deny it--can't deny it," answered Scrogie, a little discountenanced--"a mere accident--no one can guard every point .-- Egad, but I had like to have been baffled again, for Bulmer sent the lad Jekyl, who is not such a black sheep neither but what there are some white hairs about him, upon a treaty with Tyrrel, that my secret agent was not admitted to.

Gad, but I discovered the whole--you will scarce guess how." "Probably not easily, indeed, sir," answered Mowbray; "for your sources of intelligence are not the most obvious, any more than your mode of acting the most simple or most comprehensible." "I would not have it so," said Touchwood; "simple men perish in their simplicity--I carry my eye-teeth about me .-- And for my source of information--why, I played the eavesdropper, sir--listened--knew my landlady's cupboard with the double door--got into it as she has done many a time .-- Such a fine gentleman as you would rather cut a man's throat, I suppose, than listen at a cupboard door, though the object were to prevent murder ?" "I cannot say I should have thought of the expedient, certainly, sir," said Mowbray.
"I did, though," said Scrogie, "and learned enough of what was going on, to give Jekyl a hint that sickened him of his commission, I believe--so the game is all in my own hands.