"Look here, Mr. Ayscough!" he whispered confidentially. "I want you!
There's something turned up in there, just now, that I ain't said a word
about to either Penniket or my cousin--but I will to you. Do you know
what, Mr. Ayscough--listen here;"--and he went on to tell the detective
the story of the furnished house in Maida Vale, its Chinese occupants, and
their cheque. "Dated that very day the old man was scragged!" exclaimed
Melky. "Now, Mr. Ayscough, supposing that one o' those Chinks called here
with that cheque that afternoon when Zillah was out, and found the old man
alone, and that diamond in his hand--eh?"
Ayscough started and gave a low, sharp whistle.
"Whew!" he said. "By George, that's an idea! Where's this house, do you
say? Molteno Lodge, Maida Vale? I know it--small detached house in a
garden. I say!--let's go and take a look round there!"
"It's what I was going to propose--and at once," responded Melky. "Come
on--but on the way, we'll pay a bit of a call. I want to ask a question of
Dr. Mirandolet."
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
THE RAT
Ayscough and Melky kept silence, until they had exchanged the busy streets
for the quieter by-roads which lie behind the Paddington Canal--then, as
they turned up Portsdown Road, the detective tapped his companion's arm.
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