along. After a whispered word or two, the policeman went away, and
Ayscough beckoned Lauriston back into the shop.

"Now," he said, "there'll be some of our people and a surgeon along in a
few minutes--before they come, just tell me your story. You're an honest-
looking young chap--but you must admit that it looks a bit queer that I
should find you running out of this shop, old Multenius dead inside his
parlour, and you with a couple of rings in your possession which look
uncommonly like his property! Just tell me how it came about."

Lauriston told him the plain truth--from the pawning of the watch to the
present visit. Ayscough watched him narrowly--and at the end nodded his
head.

"That sounds like a straight tale, Mr. Lauriston," he said. "I'm inclined
to believe every word you say. But I shall have to report it, and all the
circumstances, and you'll have to prove that these two rings were your
mother's, and all that--and you must stay here till the doctor comes with
our people. Queer that the old man should be alone! I wonder where his
grand-daughter is?"

But just then the street door opened and Zillah came in, a big bunch of
flowers under one arm, some small parcels in the other. At the sight of
the two men she started; crimsoned as she saw Lauriston; paled again as
she noticed that Ayscough was evidently keeping an eye on him.

"Mr. Ayscough!" she exclaimed. "What's this?--is something the matter?
What are you doing here?" she went on hurriedly, turning to Lauriston.
"Inside the shop! What's happened?--tell me, one of you?"