ow middle height, respectably dressed, and at first glance, the colonel, whose hobby

ocked t

he devil were you doing listening at

," said the other,

d the colonel virtuously. "What have you got to say for yours

utting his collar straight. If he had been taken aback by

u've got a telephone, haven't you? Perhaps I'll have a job for the policeman, too

u doing?" ask

said the m

long moustache, and his

nds here, and we don't want any trouble. I daresay you've made a m

grinned

rightly, there was a young gentleman who took a glass of w

el's eyes

esting that you know something which I don't want you to tell. Or that you have discovered one of th

n hesi

isky out of the same bo

colonel good-naturedly. "G

ed out two pegs and sent the soda-w

here's mine," he

seen the colonel drink his, and wipe

e and that you were listening at our door. Now we want no unpleasantness,

alk," said the other

sent here t

I may not have,"

tly, but the colonel s

volent smile of his. "You're not an ordinary tradesman. You've got a look

an sm

he, "and," he added

lapped him on

ly; "we don't see shrewd-looking fello

l," said the

ate detective's fear of pos

o be perfectly straight with you, and you've go

"if I've been misconductin

, "my friend here will apologise for handling

other, without an

rsation and was anxious to

business for your health," said the

ying you about three pounds a week and you

dog's life; out in all kinds of weather, all hours of the day and night, and never so much as 'thank you' for an

sn't appreciated as it ought to be. And it is very curious we should have met you," he went on; "only this evening I was say

the other; "h

his waistcoat pocket,

Dooby and Somes. Now what do you

an bl

job----" he beg

ounds a week, regular expenses

said Mr. Sna

Snakit, as frankness is the basis of our intercourse, you will

"I had a job to watch you and to discover if

ngaged

e waited for some encouragement to pursue the path of rectitude and honour, but received none. "Well,

h?" said the c

it was, sir,

e was here? She wan

She also wanted to show me the back stairs by whic

our general

ad an opportunity when you were out

where to report. Fix up his pay--you know," he gave a significant sideways jerk

closed, the colone

s dangerous. She may or may not know where her father is--this detective business may be a

k me, too,"

ous," repeate

promenade up an

I'm going to settle with her for good and all. I don't care what she knows, but she probably knows too much. She's ha

r's eyes

gasped. "Good heavens!

l faced hi

ve missed it," he said. "You've tried your fan

id the other, with tense face. "I tell you I lik

there?" said the colon

ard across the table and his

, Pinto? You can go a long way with me if I happen to be going that way. But you stand in the road and you're going to get what's coming. I've been good to you, P

t" said Pin