Nine' turned out to be (ostensibly) a shop for the
sale of rags and old iron; and 'Dandie' was suspected of trading now
and then, additionally, as a receiver of stolen goods. Thanks to the
influence of his companion, backed by a bank-note (which can be repaid,
by the way, out of the fund for the American expenses), my clerk
succeeded is making the fellow speak. Not to trouble you with needless
details, the result in substance was this: A fortnight or more before
the date of Mrs. Eustace's death, 'Dandie' made two keys from wax models
supplied to him by a new customer. The mystery observed in the matter
by the agent who managed it excited Dandie's distrust. He had the
man privately watched before he delivered the keys; and he ended in
discovering that his customer was--Miserrimus Dexter. Wait a little!
I have not done yet. Add to this information Dexter's incomprehensible
knowledge of the contents of your husband's diary, and the product
is--that the wax models sent to the old-iron shop in Caldershaws were
models taken by theft from the key of the Diary and the key of the
table-drawer in which it was kept. I have my own idea of the revelations
that are still to come if this matter is properly followed up. Never
mind going into that at present. Dexter (I tell you again) is answerable
for the late Mrs. Eustace's death. _How_ he is answerable I believe you
are in a fair way of finding out. And, more than that, I say now, what I
could not venture to say before--it is a duty toward Justice, as well
as a duty toward your husband, to bring the truth to light. As for the
difficulties to be encountered, I don't think they need daunt you. The
greatest difficulties give way in the end, when they are attacked by the
united alliance of patience resolution--_and_ economy."

With a strong emphasis on the last words, my worthy adviser, mindful of
the flight of time and the claims of business, rose to take his leave.

"One word more," I said, as he held out his hand. "Can you manage to
see Miserrimus Dexter before you go back to Edinburgh? From what the
gardener told me, his brother must be with him by this time. It would be
a relief to me to hear the latest news of him, and to hear it from you."

"It is part of my business in London to see him," said Mr. Playmore.
"But mind! I have no hope of his recovery; I only wish to satisfy myself
that his brother is able and willing to take care of him. So far as _we_
are concerned, Mrs. Eustace