started this little business of mine, thirty years ago, I have accumulated data, of one sort or another, relative to not less than sixty-five thousand ladies and gentlemen of position and means. Not only does this save time when, as now, information is sought concerning one of them, but it gives my young men—my beagles, I call them, ha! ha!—something to do when they are not actually engaged upon any definite investigation. Moreover, while we are looking into the past history of A, it frequently happens that we light upon something to the discredit of B. This we instantly file for future reference. And so—but here comes Mr. Leprovitch with your father's record, madam. I make no doubt that in a moment I shall be in a position to give you some very material assistance."
The ghoulish little old clerk who had
