Was it possible that there was any one, far away in Scotland,
who had known his mother and who would come forward--if need arose--and
prove that those rings had been her property? But when he had put this
question to himself, he had to answer it with a direct negative--he knew
of no one.
There was one gleam of hope in this critical situation. John Purdie was
coming to London. Lauriston had always felt that he could rely on John
Purdie, and he had just received proof of the value of his faith in his
old schoolmate. John Purdie would tell him what to do: he might even
suggest the names of some of Mrs. Lauriston's old friends. And perhaps the
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.
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