"Mister!" he whispered. "Where do you come from?"
"Peebles," answered Lauriston. "You heard me tell them so, in that court."
"I'm no scholar," said Melky. "I ain't no idea where Peebles is, except
that it's in Scotland. Is it far into that country, or where is it?"
"Not far across the Border," replied Lauriston.
"Get there in a few hours, I reckon?" asked Melky. "You could? Very well,
then, mister, you take my tip--get there! Get there--quick!"
Lauriston laid down his knife and fork and stared.
"Whatever for?" he exclaimed.
"To find somebody--anybody--as can prove that those rings are yours!"
answered Melky solemnly and emphatically. "Tain't no use denying it--
you're in a dangerous position. The police always goes for the straightest
and easiest line. Their line was clear enough, just now--Parminter give it
away! They've a theory--they always have a theory--and when once police
gets a theory, nothing can drive it out o' their heads--their official
heads, anyway. What they're saying, and what they'll try to establish, is
this here. That you were hard up, down to less than your last penny.
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