-------------- AN IDLE TIME--A CALL FROM MY OLD "CHIEF"--THE CASE IN HAND OUTLINED--I DISCOVER AN OLD ENEMY IN THE LIST OF COUNTERFEITERS, AND LAY MY PLANS--TAKE BOARD IN NINETEENTH STREET, AND OPEN A LAW OFFICE IN JAUNCEY COURT--MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF MRS. PAYNE, LEWELLYN'S MOTHER, AND FINALLY GET ACQUAINTED WITH HIM--HE VISITS MY LAW OFFICE--I AM INGRATIATED IN HIS FAVOR--I TRACK HIM INTO MY ENEMY'S COMPANY, AND FEEL SURE OF SUCCESS--LEWELLYN FINALLY CONFESSES TO ME HIS TERRIBLE SITUATION--CERTAIN PLANS LAID--I MAKE "COLLINS'" ACQUAINTANCE--VISIT A GAMBLING SALOON WITH HIM--A HEAVY WAGER--FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS AT HAZARD, PAYNE'S ALL--THE COUNTERFEITING GAMBLERS CAUGHT TOGETHER--A SEVERE STRUGGLE--PAYNE SAVED AT LAST, AND HIS MONEY TOO--A REFORMED SON AND A HAPPY MOTHER--TWO "BIRDS" SENT TO THE PENITENTIARY. There had been a lull in business for a time with me soon after I had left an organized force of private detectives, and with the promised assistance of some friends, mercantile and otherwise, whom I had served more or less, under the direction of the chief of the corps to which I belonged, had taken a private office, and was beginning to wish that I was not so much "my own master," and had more to do. During those days I tried to divert my mind with much reading, and one day, poring over De Quincey's "Opium Eater," I was half buried in oblivion to all particular things around me, though wonderfully aroused to a sweet sensuousness of all things material, when my old chief entered my office. I was not a little surprised to see him, for it had been weeks since I had met him, and that casual meeting was the first time I had seen him since my resignation from the corps. "Good day, my boy," said he, giving me a hearty grasp of the hand. He looked weary and worn. I thought he looked vexed, too, about something, and I asked, "Well, what's up? What ails you? Are you unwell?" "No," said he, "not unwell; in fact, never in better health; but business annoys me. I've been on a scent for some parties for quite a while, and I can get nobody to do what I want done. Report of failure to find out what I want has just been rendered an hour ago, and I have come down to see if you can't help me out." "Tell me your story," said I. "But I don't suppose I can accomplish anything for you if Wilson, Baldwin, or Harry Hunt" (detectives of rare ability on his corps) "have failed."