"So far as your efforts are directed towards the suppression
of crime, sir, they must have the support of every reasonable
member of the community, though I cannot doubt that the official
machinery is amply sufficient for the purpose. Where your
calling is more open to criticism is when you pry into the
secrets of private individuals, when you rake up family matters
which are better hidden, and when you incidentally waste the time
of men who are more busy than yourself. At the present moment,
for example, I should be writing a treatise instead of conversing
with you."
"No doubt, doctor; and yet the conversation may prove more
important than the treatise. Incidentally I may tell you that
we are doing the reverse of what you very justly blame, and that
we are endeavouring to prevent anything like public exposure of
private matters which must necessarily follow when once the case
is fairly in the hands of the official police. You may look
upon me simply as an irregular pioneer who goes in front of the
regular forces of the country. I have come to ask you about
Mr. Godfrey Staunton."
"What about him?"
"You know him, do you not?"
"He is an intimate friend of mine.
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