need might not arise--there must surely be some clue to the old
pawnbroker's assailant; surely the police would go deeper into the matter.
He cheered up at these thoughts, and having written replies to the two
welcome letters and asked John Purdie to see him immediately on his
arrival in town, he went out again to the post-office and to fulfil his
promise to Melky to call at the pawnshop.

Lauriston was naturally of quick observation. He noticed now, as he
stepped out into the ill-lighted, gloomy street that a man was pacing up
and down in front of the house. This man took no notice of him as he
passed, but before he had reached Praed Street, he glanced around, and saw
that he was following him. He followed him to Spring Street post-office;
he was in his rear when Lauriston reached the pawnshop. Idly and
perfunctorily as the man seemed to be strolling about, Lauriston was sure
that he was shadowing him--and he told Melky of the fact when Melky
admitted him to the shop by the private door.

"Likely enough, mister," remarked Melky. "But I shouldn't bother myself
about it if I were you. There'll be more known about this affair before
long. Now, look here," he continued, leading the way into the little back-
parlour where Lauriston had found Daniel Multenius lying dead, "here's you
and me alone--Zillah, she's upstairs, and Mrs. Goldmark is with her. Just
you tell me what you saw when you came in here, d'you see, Mr. Lauriston--
never mind the police--just give me the facts. I ain't no fool, you know,
and I'm going to work this thing out."

Lauriston gave Melky a complete account of his connection with the matter:
Melky checked off all the points on his long fingers. At the end he turned
to the table and indicated the finely-bound book which Lauriston had
noticed when he and the detective had first looked round.