"Time we were going on to the inquest," he remarked. "Come on--we'll step
round there together. You're both wanted, you know."
"I'll join you at the Coroner's court, Mr. Ayscough," said Melky. "I've
got a few minutes' business--shan't be long."
He hurried away by a short cut to Praed Street and turned into Mrs.
Goldmark's establishment.
Mrs. Goldmark herself was still ministering to Zillah, but the young woman
whom Melky had seen the night before was in charge. Melky drew her aside.
"I say!" he said, with an air of great mystery. "A word with you, miss!--
private, between you and me. Can you tell me what like was that fellow
what you believed to ha' lost that there cuff stud you showed me in Mrs.
Goldmark's desk?--you know?"
"Yes!" answered the young woman promptly. "Tall--dark--clean-shaved--very
brown--looked like one of those Colonials that you see sometimes--wore a
slouch hat."
"Not a word to nobody!" warned Melky, more mysteriously than ever. And
nodding his head with great solemnity, he left the eating-house, and
hurried away to the Coroner's Court.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE INQUEST
Until he and Ayscough walked into this particular one, Lauriston had never
been in a Coroner's Court in his life.
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