om it was known that they were conversant with the existence of
the diamonds, and known, also, that they were in the habit of having
dealings with Lord George. It was, moreover, known that Lord George
had been closeted with Mr. Benjamin on the morning after his arrival
in London. These things put together made it almost a certainty that
Lord George had been concerned in the matter. Bunfit had always been
sure of it. Gager, though differing much from Bunfit as to details,
had never been unwilling to suspect Lord George. But the facts known
could not be got to dovetail themselves pleasantly. If Lord George
had possessed himself of the diamonds at Carlisle,--or with Lizzie's
connivance before they reached Carlisle,--then, why had there been
a second robbery? Bunfit, who was very profound in his theory,
suggested that the second robbery was an additional plant, got up
with the view of throwing more dust into the eyes of the police.
Patience Crabstick had, of course, been one of the gang throughout,
and she had now been allowed to go off with her mistress's money and
lesser trinkets,--so that the world of Scotland Yard might be thrown
more and more into the mire of ignorance and darkness of doubt. To
this view Gager was altogether opposed. He was inclined to think
that Lord George had taken the diamonds at Carlisle with Lizzie's
connivance;--that he had restored them in London to her keeping,
finding the suspicion against him too heavy to admit of his dealing
with them,--and that now he had stolen them a second time, again with
Lizzie's connivance; but in this latter point Gager did not pretend
to the assurance of any conviction.

But Gager at the present moment had achieved a triumph in the matter
which he was not at all disposed to share with his elder officer.
Perhaps, on the whole, more power is lost than gained by habits of
secrecy. To be discreet is a fine thing,--especially for a policeman;
but when discretion is carried to such a length in the direction
of self-confidence as to produce a belief that no aid is wanted
for the achievement of great results, it will often militate
against all achievement. Had Scotland Yard been less discreet
and more confidential, the mystery might, perhaps, have been
sooner unravelled. Gager at this very moment had reason to
believe that a man whom he knew could,--and would, if operated
upon duly,--communicate to him, Gager, the secret of the present
whereabouts of Patience Crabstick! T