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tection of criminals Mr Peabody had at first assumed that this would be an easy task. When, however, he came to set it down on paper his conscience troubled him, and he cast about for some means of verifying his supposition.

In taking his problem to Scotland Yard he considered that he was going to the fountain head, for in spite of the many severe criticisms levelled against the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department in the pages of detective fiction the name still remains one to conjure with. He was received courteously by one of the lesser officials, and asked to state his business. Mr Peabody-an honest soul-confided in his questioner the fact that he was writing a detective story and wished to verify a point with reference to a ring. The official who had received him was not lacking in a sense of humour, and the idea that the author of a detective story should bring his troubles to Scotland Yard so tickled him that he sought out no less a person than Inspector Thesiger himself. That officer welcomed Mr Peabody with becoming gravity, and listened to him with interest while he stated his case. He inspected the ring with care and then returned it.

"There is very little chance," he said, "that a ring like that could be traced. They are sold in thousands all over the country, and not only in in this country but in other countries

also.

But if it was made in England you might possibly be able to get more information from Messrs Loenthal of Hatton Garden. There are not so many firms who actually manufacture these things, though there are a good many who sell them. This looks to me to be a particularly small size, and it is just possible that it may have been made to order."

Mr Peabody was profuse in his thanks. He rose to go.

"Now don't be too hard on the force in your book," said Inspector Thesiger.

"I'll send you a presentation copy," answered Mr Peabody, taking up his hat and stick.

"Do," said the inspector. "I will enjoy reading it; but just before you go I have something here which may interest you." He shuffled among the papers on his desk and presently held up a letter. "Some time ago," he said,

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with a ring which you say you found in a mackerel which you caught off Cork Harbour on the same date." The inspector sat back in his chair and looked at Mr Peabody.

"Do you think there can be any connection between the ring and this finger?" asked that gentleman excitedly.

"I don't know," answered the inspector. "You should have asked the mackerel how long he had been engaged." Mr Peabody smiled. try to work it into my story," he said.

"I'll

"Yes, do," said the inspector, "but I'll tell you the most probable explanation if you like, supposing the finger and the ring do belong to each other."

"What is that?" asked Mr Peabody.

"That the poor lady was sea-sick and was leaning overboard and her ring fell off. She made a desperate grab at it, overbalanced, and fell after it."

"But what about the finger?" said Mr Peabody. "Cut off by the propeller," answered the inspector.

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Mr Peabody's first experience as an inquiry agent proved much simpler than he had any right to expect. Inspector Thesiger's name turned out to be a key which opened for him without difficulty the store of expert knowledge possessed by Messrs Loenthal of Hatton Garden.

The beautifully dressed young gentleman into whose presence he was first ushered listened to his story, inspected the ring, and then summoned a foreman. This expert examined the exhibit with a magnifying glass, and at once expressed the opinion that the ring had been reduced in size by the removal of part of its circumference.

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do not know-it vas not for this firm done."

Armed with the address of Nathan Coppelini Mr Peabody sallied forth to make a round of the working jewellers in London. He did not realise the magnitude of the task nor the improbability of success; he was thinking only of testing the possibility of his theory that the ring could be traced to its source. Fortune favoured him, for, though Nathan denied all knowledge of the trinket, he referred Mr Peabody to one Serge Lipinski, who instantly recognised his own handiwork and, after examining a grimy ledger, was able to supply the information that the ring had been remodelled at the request of the Army and Navy Stores Company of Victoria Street, on 12th April 1906, and that it had been returned to them on the 14th of the same month.

Mr Peabody was delighted with his success, and rewarded his informant with liberality. The next step in his progress was ridiculously easy, thanks to the admirable, if complex, system of records indulged in by the firm to which he now addressed his inquiries.

The custom of recording the name and ticket number of all purchasers at the Army and Navy Stores may, in general, serve no useful purpose, but in Mr Peabody's case it proved to be particularly helpful. The records showed that a diamond and sapphire engagement ring had been supplied to J. Northbrook, Esq., ticket No. 41,568, on 7th April, and that the purchase had been paid for and taken away. On 11th April a lady, who gave the name of Mrs Elisha T. Jobling, had brought the ring back, with the request that it should be made smaller. She was not a ticket-holder of the society, but was allowed to use Mr Northbrook's number. She gave the address of Filbert's Hotel, Brook Street, and asked to be notified as soon as the repair had been completed. This was done, and she called, paid for the work, and took the ring away on 16th April.

Mr Peabody's case was now complete, and he hurried off to Scotland Yard again to receive the congratulations of Inspector Thesiger.

CHAPTER IV. THE FINGER AND THE RING,

'Well, I suppose you will go on with your story now with a clear conscience," said Inspector Thesiger, "or are there any other little matters you would like to verify?"

Mr Peabody had been think

ing things over. "I think I should like to see whether my ring fitted the finger that was found," he said. "Do you know if they kept it?"

"I don't know, indeed," answered the other. "I fancy

it would be unlikely, but in any case I shouldn't try it if I were you; it would be a pity to spoil a good story. You have been extraordinarily lucky up to this, but it doesn't do to tempt Providence, you know."

Mr Peabody was somewhat dashed. "I have half a mind to try it, all the same," he said.

"Well, you must please yourself," said the Inspector. "If you are going to see the police in Cork I will give you my card, and if they have got the finger still they will show it to you; but if I was writing the story-which, thank God, I'm not-I would go and look over the Casabianca at Liverpool when she comes in on her her return trip. She is due the day after to-morrow, I think."

He touched a bell on the table, and a policeman entered. “Find out when the Casabianca is due in Liverpool, Jones," he said.

The policeman retired.

"I think that's a very good idea," said Mr Peabody. "I'll do it."

"Mention my name to the purser," said Inspector Thesiger. "He is an old friend of mine. I crossed with him twice last year when I was on the Forbes Card-sharping Case."

There was a knock at the door. "Come in," called out the Inspector.

to land mails at Queenstown the previous evening."

"Good," said Inspector Thesiger. "That will do, Jones, thank you."

"That's the very thing," he continued when the policeman had gone out and shut the door.

You can cross to Ireland tonight, see the police in Cork, and then board the Casabianca at Queenstown and return on her. They'll let you do it if you go to the Company's office here before you start."

Arthur Jarvis Peabody up to the time of his first encounter with Inspector Thesiger had been by no means a man of action. He had been used to making up his mind deliberately and then carrying out his ideas in a leisurely fashion. The forceful personality of the detective must, however, have set loose within him some hidden springs of energy, for next morning, at the respectable hour of 8.30, he was set ashore on the quay at Cork after a comfortable crossing from Fishguard.

The name of Thesiger of Scotland Yard did not appear to carry as much weight with the Royal Irish Constabulary as Mr Peabody had expected, and it was not until he recognised the District Inspector as an old schoolfellow that he made any progress. Thereafter his way was made easy. The finger, it transpired, had

The policeman entered with not been thrown away, and a time-table in his hand.

"She is due at 6 P.M. on the 10th, sir," he said. "She calls

soon it was discovered, in its original pickle-bottle of methylated spirit, stowed away in a

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It will," said Arthur Jarvis. His next visit was to the thriving shop of Mr Joseph Costello, to whom he had been referred by his friend the District Inspector. Mr Costello was engaged in jointing a loin of mutton with extreme dexterity when his visitor accosted him.

"Mr Joseph Costello?" asked Mr Peabody.

"At your service, sir," answered the butcher politely.

"May I have a word with you, Mr Costello, about a finger which you found on the cliffs outside Cork Harbour last September," said Mr Peabody. "I come from Inspector Thesiger of Scotland Yard."

"Holy God!" ejaculated the startled Mr Costello, dropping his chopper and turning pale.

"Don't be alarmed," said Mr Peabody with a smile. "I have not come in an official capacity. I am merely seeking material for a story."

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The office proved to be an exceedingly comfortable retreat, and in it they found Mr Michael Costello, or, rather, Doctor Michael Costello-for he had passed his qualifying examinations the previous week,-engaged in the pleasant occupation of consuming a plate of spiced beef, while at his side. rested a glass of very brown whisky-and-water.

Mr Peabody produced his cigar-case, and presently the three gentlemen were on the best possible terms. The newcomer told his story first, and was listened to in gratifying silence until he came to the crowning incident where he related how the ring proved to be an exact fit.

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