next went on to inform her that he had succeeded in placing his son as
footman at Bon Repos, and that everything now depended on the
discoveries James might succeed in making. But nothing was said as to
the false pretences and the changed name under which Madgin junior had
entered M. Platzoff's household. Those were details which Mr. Madgin
kept judiciously to himself. Her ladyship was perfectly satisfied with
his report; she was more than satisfied--she was pleased. She was very
sanguine as to the existence of the diamond, and also as to its
retention by M. Platzoff; far more so, in fact, than Mr. Madgin himself
was. But the latter was too shrewd a man of business to parade his
doubts of success before a client who paid so liberally, so long as her
hobby was ridden after her own fashion. Mr. Madgin's chief aim in life
was to ride other people's hobbies, and be well paid for his jockeyship.

"I am highly gratified, Mr. Madgin," said her ladyship, "by the style,
_plein de finesse_, in which you have so far conducted this delicate
investigation. I will not ask you what your next step is to be. You know
far better than I can tell you what ought to be done. I leave the matter
with confidence in your hands."

"Your ladyship is very kind," observed Mr. Madgin, deferentially. "I
will do my best to deserve a continuance of your good opinion."

"As week after week goes by, Mr. Madgin," resumed Lady Chillington, "the
conviction seems to take deeper root within me that that man--that
villain--M. Platzoff, has my son's diamond still in his possession. I
have a sort of spiritual consciousness that such is the case. My waking
intuitions, my dreams by night, all point to the same end. You, with
your cold, worldly sense, may laugh at such things; we women, with our
finer organisation, know how often the truth comes to us on mystic