pawnshops! Do you suppose I followed any of your suggestions, the
suggestions of the thief? On the contrary, they told me what to
avoid."

"And I suppose," I said bitterly, "you have not even searched your
drawer?"

"No," he said calmly.

I was for the first time really vexed. I went to the nearest
drawer and pulled it out sharply. It stuck as it had before,
leaving a part of the drawer unopened. By working it, however, I
discovered that it was impeded by some obstacle that had slipped to
the upper part of the drawer, and held it firmly fast. Inserting
my hand, I pulled out the impeding object. It was the missing
cigar case! I turned to him with a cry of joy.

But I was appalled at his expression. A look of contempt was now
added to his acute, penetrating gaze. "I have been mistaken," he
said slowly; "I had not allowed for your weakness and cowardice! I
thought too highly of you even in your guilt! But I see now why
you tampered with that drawer the other night. By some
inexplicable means--possibly another theft--you took the cigar case
out of pawn and, like a whipped hound, restored it to me in this
feeble, clumsy fashion. You thought to deceive me, Hemlock Jones!
More, you thought to destroy my infallibility. Go! I give you
your liberty. I shall not summon the three policemen who wait in
the adjoining room--but out of my sight forever!"

As I stood once more dazed and petrified, he took me firmly by the