Clarence shifted his position so as to put himself behind the two men seated opposite Jarvis. As he did so, the expert glanced up, encountering the eye of Dr. Vaughan. "How are you?" said that young man, nonchalantly. Jarvis shot him a keen glance of intelligence, and replied, in the same off-hand tone: "High, you bet!" Jarvis was attired like a well-to-do farmer; and Clarence guessed, at a glance, that his three companions were strangers, two of them being commercial tourists, without a doubt, and the third, a ruddy-looking old gent, who might have been anything harmless. Taking his cue from the "make up" of the detective, Clarence, after giving him an expressive glance, said, easily, "Sold your stock?" Jarvis cocked up one eye as he replied, while shuffling the cards: "Every horn!" "Want to buy?" Jarvis looked him straight in the eye. "Want to sell?" "Yes, rather." Jarvis dealt round with great precision, and then said: "All right, Cap. I'll talk with you when I get through this game." Clarence nodded, and presently sauntered away. As soon as his back was turned, Jarvis jerked his thumb toward him, saying, confidentially: "Young fellow; swell farmer; big stock-raiser." And then he plunged into the game with much enthusiasm. Clarence resumed his seat and, for a few moments, thought very earnestly. The words of the detective had confirmed his suspicion. He now felt assured that Jarvis was bound for Bellair, and if so he was, no doubt, in the employ of Lucian Davlin, for some unknown purpose. What that purpose was, he must know at any cost. By the time his plans were fairly matured, he observed that the group of card-players was breaking up. In another moment, Jarvis lounged lazily along and threw himself down upon the seat beside him. In little more than half an hour they would be due in Bellair, and what Clarence desired to say must be said quickly. Taking out his cigar-case, he offered the man a weed, which was accepted with alacrity, and while it was being lighted, Clarence said: "Are you especially busy now?" "N-o; only so-so." "Learned anything more in regard to my man?" "Davlin?" interrogatively. "Yes." "No," puffing contentedly; "we don't move in a case after it's paid off." "I see," smiling; and then, making his first real venture: "Could you do some work for me to-morrow?" Jarvis looked keenly at him, and Clarence hastened to say, with perfect, apparent, candor: "The fact is I have been put back by a patient, and my own personal affairs have been neglected. So I have been unable to look you up at the office, in order to put a little matter into your hands. To-day I am called away unexpectedly." Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, "How long will you be out of town?" Jarvis shook his head. "Don't know." "By Jove, what a pity. I'd rather have you than any other man, and I won't stand about money; but my work won't keep long."