"_The Police have a clue._" _Meaning_--"The Police know nothing about
it, and are doing all they know."
"_An exceptionally experienced Detective has charge of the case, and is
actively engaged in investigating all matters concerning it_;" _i.e._,
"A promoted constable in plain clothes is loafing about the neighbouring
public-houses, and standing drinks, generally without the exercise of
much discrimination, to unlikely people."
"_A young Woman of prepossessing appearance_;" _i.e._, "A rather showy
female."
"_The Police are, however, very reticent about the whole affair_;"
_i.e._, "When ignorance is rife, 'tis folly to give tongue."
"_It is believed that the most important discoveries will result from
the investigations now in progress_;" _i.e._, "Nothing is known as to
whether anything is being done: but it finishes off the paragraph, and
sounds well."
"_I am assured on the best authority, that there is no truth in the
rumour that H.S.H. the Prince of Katzendlenbogen has been laid up with
chicken-pox_;" _i.e._, "As there's no news, I may as well invent some,
for the sake of contradicting it."
"_As everybody knows_;" _i.e._, "I have a certain space to fill, and
nothing new to say, so I'll tell an ancient story, or bring in
MACAULAY'S New Zealander."
"_As all the world knows_," "except myself (the writer), who has met
with the information for the first time in a most valuable book of
reference."
"_We regret to hear that, &c._;" _i.e._, "Our sorrow is tempered by the
fact that we are utter strangers to the individual in question, and that
his or her affliction provides us with a certain amount of 'copy.'"
"_The hall was tastefully decorated_;" _i.e._, "two hired flags and an
evergreen hoop."
* * * * *