that small piece of iron found
in the head of the woman at Putney," he said. "If necessary, I will
return it in twenty-four hours."
Mr. White's face showed some little sign of annoyance. "It is against
the rules," he began; but Bruce curtly interrupted him.
"Very well, I will make direct application to the Commissioner."
"I was going to say, Mr. Bruce, that although not strictly in accordance
with orders, I will make an exception in your case." And the detective
slowly produced the _piece de conviction_ from a large pocket-book.
In sober fact, the police officer was somewhat jealous of the clever
lawyer, who saw so quickly through complexities that puzzled his slower
brain. He was in nowise anxious to help the barrister in his inquiries,
though keenly wishful to benefit by his discoveries, and follow out his
theories when they were defined with sufficient clearness.
Bruce did not at first take the proffered article.
"Let me understand, Mr. White," he said. "Do you object to my presence
in this inquiry? Are you going to hinder me or help me? It will save
much future misunderstanding if we have this point settled now."
The detective flushed at this direct inquiry. "I will be candid with
you, Mr. Bruce. It is true I have been vexed at times when you have
overreached me; but I regret it immediately. It is foolish of me to try
and solve problems by your methods. Kindly forget my momentary
disinclination to hand over the only genuine link in the case."
"In what case?" "In the case of Lady Dyke's disappearance."
"Ah! Then you think it is in some way connected with the woman found at
Putney?"
"I am sure of it. The woman at Putney, whether Lady Dyke herself or not
I cannot tell, wore some of her ladyship's clothes. When we have
ascertained the means and the manner of the death of the woman buried at
Putney we shall not be far from learning what has become of Lady Dyke."
"How have you identified the clothes?"
"I managed to gain the confidence of the lady's maid, who gave evidence
at the inquest. She, of course, is quite positive that the body was not
that of her mistress, but when I had examined some of Lady Dyke's linen
I no longer doubted the fact."
"If you knew all this, how comes it that more did not transpire at the
coroner's inquiry?"
"In such affairs an inquest is rather a hindrance to the police. It is
better to lull the guilty person or persons into the belief that the
crime has passed into oblivion. They know as well as we do that Lady

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