it was quite evident that he was
ill at ease.

Calling in one of his men, Mr Sharp began a rigorous search of the
house forthwith. Mr Davis suggested that he would go out and see that
the men were in their residences; but Mr Sharp said that there was no
occasion for that, and that he would be obliged by his remaining and
assisting in the search of his own house.

Every hole and corner of the ground-floor was examined without any
discovery being made. Mrs Davis, observing that her visitors were
particular in collecting every shred of cloth that came in their way,
suddenly asked if it was cloth they were in search of. Mr Sharp
thought the question and the tone in which it was put told of a guilty
conscience, but he replied that he was in search of many things--cloth
included.

Immediately after, and while they were busy with a dark closet, Mrs
Davis slipped quietly out of the room. Mr Sharp was stooping at the
time with his back towards her, but the two back buttons of his coat
must have been eyes, for he observed the movement and at once followed
her, having previously ordered Mr Davis to move a heavy chest of
drawers, in order to keep him employed. Taking off his shoes he went
up-stairs rapidly, and seeing an open door, peeped in.

There he saw a sight that would have surprised any man except a
superintendent of police. Mrs Davis was engaged in throwing bales of
cloth over the window with the energy of a coal-heaver and the haste of
one whose house is on fire! The poor woman was not robust, yet the easy
way in which she handled those bales was quite marvellous.

Being a cool and patient man, Sharp allowed her to toss over five bales
before interrupting her. When she was moving across the room with the
sixth and last he entered. She stopped, turned pale, and dropped the
bale of cloth.

"You seem to be very busy to-night Mrs Davis" he observed, inquiringly;
"can I assist you?"

"Oh, Mr Sharp!" exclaimed Mrs Davis, covering her face with her hands.

She could say no more.

Mr Sharp took her gently by the arm and led her down-stairs. They
reached the room below just in time to see Blunt enter, holding the
ejected bales with both arms to his bosom. Blunt had happened to take
his stand just underneath the window of Mrs Davis's bedroom, and when
that energetic woman tossed the bales out she pitched them straight into
Blunt's willing arms. The accommodating man waited until he had
received all that appe