t the gentleman was Mr. Trevelyan.

The letter, which was still in the ex-policeman's hand, had reached
Stony Walk on the previous day; but the master of the house had been
absent, finding out facts, following up his profession, and earning
an honest penny. Trevelyan had followed his letter quicker than
he had intended when it was written, and was now with his prime
minister, before his prime minister had been able to take any action
on the last instruction received. "Does one Mr. Samuel Bozzle live
here?" asked Trevelyan. Then Bozzle came forward and introduced his
wife. There was no one else present except the baby, and Bozzle
intimated that let matters be as delicate as they might, they could
be discussed with perfect security in his wife's presence. But
Trevelyan was of a different opinion, and he was disgusted and
revolted,--most unreasonably,--by the appearance of his minister's
domestic arrangements. Bozzle had always waited upon him with a
decent coat, and a well-brushed hat, and clean shoes. It is very much
easier for such men as Mr. Bozzle to carry decency of appearance
about with them than to keep it at home. Trevelyan had never believed
his ally to be more than an ordinary ex-policeman, but he had not
considered how unattractive might be the interior of a private
detective's private residence. Mrs. Bozzle had set a chair for
him, but he had declined to sit down. The room was dirty, and very
close,--as though no breath of air was ever allowed to find entrance
there. "Perhaps you could put on your coat, and walk out with me for
a few minutes," said Trevelyan. Mrs. Bozzle, who well understood that
business was business, and that wives were not business, felt no
anger at this, and handed her husband his best coat. The well-brushed
hat was fetched from a cupboard, and it was astonishing to see
how easily and how quickly the outer respectability of Bozzle was
restored.

"Well?" said Trevelyan, as soon as they were together in the middle
of Stony Walk.

"There hasn't been nothing to be done, sir," said Bozzle.

"Why not?" Trevelyan could perceive at once that the authority which
he had once respected had gone from the man. Bozzle away from his own
home, out on business, with his coat buttoned over his breast, and
his best hat in his hand, was aware that he commanded respect,--and
he could carry himself accordingly. He knew himself to be
somebody, and could be easy, self-confident, confidential, severe,
author