The jury retired at four o’clock, and, after an absence of a quarter of an hour, returned with the following verdict:—­

“That the deceased, whose name there is no evidence to determine, died on the 27th day of July, from the effects of poison, namely, chloroform, feloniously administered by some person unknown; and the jury, on their oaths, say that the said unknown person feloniously, wilfully, and maliciously did murder the said deceased.”

CHAPTER III.

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD.

V.R. 
Murder.
100 Pounds reward.

“Whereas, on Friday, the 27th day of July, the body of a man, name unknown, was found in a hansom cab.  And whereas, at an inquest held at St. Kilda, on the 30th day of July, a verdict of wilful murder, against some person unknown, was brought in by the jury.  The deceased is of medium height, with a dark complexion, dark hair, clean shaved, has a mole on the left temple, and was dressed in evening dress.  Notice is hereby given that a reward of 100 pounds will be paid by the Government for such information as will lead to the conviction of the murderer, who is presumed to be a man who entered the hansom cab with the deceased at the corner of Collins and Russell Streets, on the morning of the 27th day of July.”

CHAPTER IV.

MR. GORBY MAKES A START.

“Well,” said Mr. Gorby, addressing his reflection in the looking-glass, “I’ve been finding out things these last twenty years, but this is a puzzler, and no mistake.”

Mr. Gorby was shaving, and, as was his usual custom, conversed with his reflection.  Being a detective, and of an extremely reticent disposition, he never talked outside about his business, or made a confidant of anyone.  When he did want to unbosom himself, he retired to his bedroom and talked to his reflection in the mirror.  This method of procedure he found to work capitally, for it relieved his sometimes overburdened mind with absolute security to himself.  Did not the barber of Midas when he found out what was under the royal crown of his master, fret and chafe over his secret, until one morning he stole to the reeds by the river, and whispered, “Midas, has ass’s ears?” In the like manner Mr. Gorby felt a longing at times to give speech to his innermost secrets; and having no fancy for chattering to the air, he made his mirror his confidant.  So far it had never betrayed him, while for the rest it joyed him to see his own jolly red face nodding gravely at him from out the shining surface, like a mandarin.  This morning the detective was unusually animated in his confidences to his mirror.  At times, too, a puzzled expression would pass over his face.  The hansom cab murder had been placed in his hands for solution, and he was trying to think how he should make a beginning.