Читать книгу Charles Peace, or The Adventures of a Notorious Burglar онлайн

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“Oh, is it?” cried Peace. “Well, look here, I can’t tell you anything about them, and if I could——”

“You wouldn’t, is that what you mean?” said his visitor, sharply.

“Don’t be quite so fast. I know nothing about you, and don’t even know your name.”

Mr. Wrench drew a case from his pocket, and gave our hero his card. On it was—

Mr. Detective Wrench,

Scotland-yard.

“Ah!” ejaculated our hero. “That’s it—​eh?”

“What?”

“A criminal affair. Some poor crow is wanted.”

“Nothing of the sort. I pledge my word as a gentleman, and——”

“A detective,” added Peace. “Go on, governor.”

“I tell you it is nothing of the sort. The facts are simply these. The lady eloped with her music master. Her relatives cast her off—​now they are anxious to find her. Let me disabuse your mind of a false impression.”

“I never knew or even heard of such a person as Montini, and am therefore unable to assist you; but have you no clue to them—​no letters?”

“Oh, yes, we have letters. That is how we know the different towns they visited. The last one is from the lady. She announces the birth of a daughter, who is named after herself.”