"Tell him that I accept the proposition. A man can't afford to lose so splendid a chance for friendship's sake. Besides," his eyes darkening and his mouth twitching convulsively, "it's time for Dick and I to find out _who is the better man_!" Returning to the inner office, the Chief of the force found his strange patron walking fiercely up and down the room, with a newspaper grasped firmly in his hand, and on his countenance traces of agitation. "Look!" he cried, approaching and forcing the paper upon the astonished Chief; "see what a moment of waiting has brought me!" And he pointed to a paragraph beginning: WANTED. INFORMATION OF ANY SORT CONCERNING one Arthur Pearson, etc. etc. "An advertisement, I see;" said the Chief. "But I fail to understand why it should thus excite you." "A moment ago it was my intention to keep the identity of the murdered man a secret. This," indicating the paper by a quick gesture, "changes the face of affairs. After twenty years, some one inquires after Arthur Pearson--" "Then Arthur Pearson is--" "The man who was murdered near the Marais des Cygnes!" "And the child?" "I never knew her name until now. No doubt it is the little girl that was in Pearson's care." "What became of the child?" "I never knew." "And how does this discovery affect your movements?" "I will tell you; but, first, you saw Vernet?" "Yes; and he accepts." "Good! That notice was inserted either by some friend of Pearson's, or by the child's father, John Ainsworth." "What do you know of him?" "Nothing; I never met him. But, as soon as you have seen Stanhope, and I am sure that these two sharp fellows are prepared to hunt down poor Pearson's assassins, I _will_ meet him, if the notice is his, for I am going to Australia." "Ah!" "Yes; I can do no good here. To-morrow morning, business will take me out of the city. When I return, in two days, let me have Stanhope's answer." When Richard Stanhope appeared at the office that night a little later than usual, the story of Arthur Pearson and his mysterious death was related for the third time that day, and the strange and munificent offer of the stranger, for the second time rehearsed by the Chief. "What do you think of it, my boy? Are you anxious to try for a fortune?" "No, thank you." It was said as coolly as if he were declining a bad cigar. "Consider, Dick." "There is no need. Van and I have pulled together too long to let a mere matter of money come between us. _He_ would never accept such a proposition." The Chief bit his lip and remained silent. "Or if he did," went on Stanhope, "he would not work against me. Tell your patron that _with_ Van Vernet I will undertake the case. He may make Van his chief, and I will gladly assist. _Without_ Van as my rival, I will work it alone; but _against_ him, as his rival for honors and lucre, _never_!"