back room, close by that tray of rings," replied Lauriston. "I was
attracted by the binding, of course."

"Where's the book, now?" asked the official.

"Put safe away, mister," replied Melky. "It's all right. But this here
gentleman what's advertising for it--"

Just then the constable returned with several newspapers and handed them
over to Ayscough, who immediately laid them on a desk and turned to the
advertisements, while the others crowded round him.

"In every one of 'em," exclaimed Ayscough, a moment later. "Word for word,
in every morning newspaper in London! He must have sent that advertisement
round to all the offices last night. And you'll notice," he added, turning
to the other official, "that this Mr. Levendale only lost this book about
four o'clock yesterday afternoon: therefore, it must have been taken to
Multenius's shop between then and when we saw it there."

"The old man may have found it in the 'bus," suggested a third police
officer who had come up. "Looks as if he had."

"No, mister," said Melky firmly. "Mr. Multenius wasn't out of the shop at
all yesterday afternoon--I've made sure o' that fact from my cousin. He
didn't find no book, gentlemen. It was brought there."

Ayscough picked up one of the papers and turned to Melky and Lauriston.

"Here!" he said. "We'll soon get some light on this. You two come with me
--we'll step round to Mr. Levendale."