"There's nothing here." Just then Anson, who had been lighting a fresh cigar, came up to him smilingly.
"Haven't done, have you ?" he said.
"Yes: quite," was the gruff reply.
"Oh, I am sorry you haven't had better luck," said Anson, in a mock sympathetic tone.

"It must be terribly disappointing, after expecting to make a big capture." "Very," said the superintendent, looking the speaker searchingly in the eyes.
"Well, I said something to you before, but you took no notice." "Oh yes, I did." "But you didn't act on my tip.

It seems like playing the sneak, but that's what they did to me, so I don't mind paying them back in their own coin." "Pay whom ?" "The two who informed on me to save their own skins." "I do not understand you." "Oh dear, what fools you clever men are!" "What do you mean ?" "Bah! And you call yourself a police officer.

I'd make a better one out of a Dutch doll." "Once more, what do you mean ?" "Rub the dust out of your eyes, man." "There's none there." "Tchah! Your eyes are full of the dust those two threw there.

Can't you see ?" "No." "Well, I am surprised at you," cried Anson; "and after such a hint too! Can't you see that they've been a-playing upon you--setting you off on a blind lead to keep your attention while they went off with a big parcel of diamonds ?" "What! West and Ingleborough ?" "To be sure! What should they want to volunteer for, and risk capture by the Boers, if they hadn't something to gain by it ?" "Well, they had something to gain--honour and promotion." "Pish!" cried Anson; "they want something better than that! You've been had, squire.