“Do you mean that you are engaged to Mr. Walter?”

“Oh, no,” she replied; “but he has asked me to marry him—­he has asked me, in fact, more than once; and I really believe that he has a sincere attachment to me.”

She made this latter statement with an odd air, as though the thing asserted were curious and rather incredible, and the tone was evidently noticed by Thorndyke as well as me for he rejoined—­

“Of course he has.  Why not?”

“Well, you see,” replied Miss Gibson, “I have some six hundred a year of my own and should not be considered a bad match for a young man like Walter, who has neither property nor expectations, and one naturally takes that into account.  But still, as I have said, I believe he is quite sincere in his professions and not merely attracted by my money.”

“I do not find your opinion at all incredible,” said Thorndyke, with a smile, “even if Mr. Walter were quite a mercenary young man—­which, I take it, he is not.”

Miss Gibson flushed very prettily as she replied—­

“Oh, pray do not trouble to pay me compliments; I assure you I am by no means insensible of my merits.  But with regard to Walter Hornby, I should be sorry to apply the term ‘mercenary’ to him, and yet—­well, I have never met a young man who showed a stronger appreciation of the value of money.  He means to succeed in life and I have no doubt he will.”

“And do I understand that you refused him?”

“Yes.  My feelings towards him are quite friendly, but not of such a nature as to allow me to contemplate marrying him.”

“And now, to return for a moment to Mr. Reuben.  You have known him for some years?”

“I have known him intimately for six years,” replied Miss Gibson.

“And what sort of character do you give him?”

“Speaking from my own observation of him,” she replied, “I can say that I have never known him to tell an untruth or do a dishonourable deed.  As to theft, it is merely ridiculous.  His habits have always been inexpensive and frugal, he is unambitious to a fault, and in respect to the ‘main chance’ his indifference is as conspicuous as Walter’s keenness.  He is a generous man, too, although careful and industrious.”

“Thank you, Miss Gibson,” said Thorndyke.  “We shall apply to you for further information as the case progresses.  I am sure that you will help us if you can, and that you can help us if you will, with your clear head and your admirable frankness.  If you will leave us your card, Dr. Jervis and I will keep you informed of our prospects and ask for your assistance whenever we need it.”

After our fair visitor had departed, Thorndyke stood for a minute or more gazing dreamily into the fire.  Then, with a quick glance at his watch, he resumed his hat and, catching up the microscope, handed the camera case to me and made for the door.  “How the time goes!” he exclaimed, as we descended the stairs; “but it hasn’t been wasted, Jervis, hey?”