“All right, Mr. Dinwiddie,” he said, smiling. “It is my wish to discuss a certain person whom we both knew in the past. If you prefer to speak of that person in the third person, I see no reason for not humoring you. But, before we continue with the subject, I wish to warn you that I am about through with your pose. I will talk in the third person about that other man, but you’ve got to talk—or something will happen.” “How melodramatic. Look here, Carter, what are you driving at?” “I’m driving at one Bare-Faced Jimmy Duryea.” “Oh; you are! And who might he be? Or who might he have been? Is he a dead one, or is he alive, Mr. Carter? You interest me. Really, you do.” “He has long since been supposed to be dead, but just now he seems to be very much alive.” “That’s where you are dead wrong, Carter. Believe me, you are. Dead men do not return. Neither do they discuss tales of themselves. Bare-Faced Jimmy, eh? What a name!” “It was never more appropriate than at this moment, Jimmy, for if you are not the most barefaced reprobate out of prison, I’ll eat my hat; and that’s quite a compliment.” “I suppose so. Anyway, I choose to take it so, rather than be offended. But you said he was supposed to be dead—this Bare-Faced Jimmy, as you call him. Why not let him lie? What is the use of stirring up the dead?” “He has been stealing jewels, that’s all.” “Oh; has he?” “Yes. He can stay dead just as long as he pleases if he returns those jewels, and then disappears again, at once.” “I see. It must be his ghost that you are talking about, Carter.” “Yes; we’ll call it that. The ghost of Bare-Faced Jimmy.” “What has he got to do besides return the jewels he has stolen?” “Beat it. Skip. Get out. Disappear.” “What! All four, and all at once? Really. Say! Suppose the ghost refuses to walk?” “He won’t refuse when he realizes just what he is up against.” “Won’t he? Maybe you wrong him there. Perhaps you do not do this ghost full justice.” “Perhaps not; but I think I do.” “Say, Carter, honest, did you ever hear of a ghost that got caught? A real ghost?” “I don’t think I ever did.” “Well, you don’t hear of this one’s getting caught, either. If the ghost of Jimmy Duryea stole the jewels you are talking about, the ghost of Jimmy Duryea intends to keep them, and it will go hard with the man or woman—or shall I say the man and woman—who attempts to deprive the ghost of them.” Nick Carter’s reply was a smile. “There aren’t any witnesses to this conversation, Carter,” Duryea went on, “so I don’t mind being more or less plain with you for just a moment.” “I am glad that you have arrived at that conclusion, Jimmy.”