seen.  I sat quietly for a few moments.  It stood, then, thus:—­G. had given the thing to the solicitor, seen it put into the box, seen the box put into the desk; but while the confidential clerk, Ulster, locked the desk, the solicitor saw the Marquis to the door,—­returning, took the box, without opening it again, to the jeweller, who, in the hurry, shut it up in his safe, also without opening it.  The case was perfectly clear.  These mysterious things are always so simple!  You know now, as well as I, who took the diamond.

I did not choose to volunteer, but assented, on being desired.  The police and I were old friends; they had so often assisted me, that I was not afraid to pay them in kind, and accordingly agreed to take charge of the case, still retaining their aid, should I require it.  The jeweller was now restored to his occupation, although still subjected to a rigid surveillance, and I instituted inquiries into the recent movements of the young man Ulster.  The case seemed to me to have been very blindly conducted.  But, though all that was brought to light concerning him in London was perfectly fair and aboveboard, it was discovered that not long since he had visited Paris,—­on the solicitor’s business, of course, but gaining thereby an opportunity to transact any little affairs of his own.  This was fortunate; for if any one could do anything in Paris, it was myself.

It is not often that I act as a detective.  But one homogeneous to every situation could hardly play a pleasanter part for once.  I have thought that our great masters in theory and practice, Machiavel and Talleyrand, were hardly more, on a large scale.

I was about to return to Paris, but resolved to call previously on the solicitor again.  He welcomed me warmly, although my suspicions had not been imparted to him, and, with a more cheerful heart than had lately been habitual to him, entered into an animated conversation respecting the great case of Biter v. Bit, then absorbing so much of the public attention, frequently addressing Ulster, whose remarks were always pertinent, brief, and clear.  As I sat actively discussing the topic, feeling no more interest in it than in the end of that cigar I just cut off, and noting exactly every look and motion of the unfortunate youth, I recollect the curious sentiment that filled me regarding him.  What injury had he done me, that I should pursue him with punishment?  Me?  I am, and every individual is, integral with the commonwealth.  It was the commonwealth he had injured.  Yet, even then, why was I the one to administer justice?  Why not continue with my coffee in the morning, my kings and cabinets and national chess at noon, my opera at night, and let the poor devil go?  Why, but that justice is brought home to every member of society,—­that naked duty requires no shirking of such responsibility,—­that, had I failed here, the crime might, with reason, lie at my door and multiply, the criminal increase himself?