The doctor's flattery and the detective's avarice combined, had the desired effect. Jarvis unbent, and became more communicative. "Fact is," he said, squaring about, "I don't know my lay just yet." "No?" inquiringly: "Going far out?" "No." "Well," as if about to drop the conversation, "I'm sorry you can't do the job. It's big pay and success sure. The truth is," lowering his voice confidentially, "there are two parties beside myself interested, and both have plenty of money. It's a snug sum to the man who does our work." The detective looked grave, and then became confidential in his turn. "The fact is,"--he was fond of using "facts" when it was possible to lug one in--"I am sent out to a small town as a sub." "A sub.?" "Yes; substitute. You see, one of our men was detailed to do some work for a chap who came to the Agency from this little town. It was a case of record hunting. Well, the man went out last night all O. K.; he was a little on the sport when off duty, but a tip-top chap when at work. Well, he got into a gambling brawl, and this morning they brought him in, done up." "Done up?" "Yes; killed, you know." "Oh!" "And so, you see, I am ordered down here to take the instructions of my gentleman, in the place of my pard, who won't receive any more orders here below." "Then you don't yet know precisely what is required of you?" "No; I was packed off at half an hour's notice, and don't even know the name of my employer. I have my instructions and his address here," tapping his breast pocket. "I believe the party lives out of town, at some manor or other." Clarence was thinking very fast. There was but one "Manor" in or near Bellair. He looked at his time-card; there was but one town between them and that village. Holding the card in his hand he said: "Well, I will try and tell you what I want done; that is, if there is time--how soon do you leave the train?" Jarvis now scented a fat job, and thinking only of getting the particulars of that replied, rather incautiously, as he consulted the time-card in the hand of Clarence. "By goshen! it's only two stations off--Bellair." "Oh! Bellair, eh?" Jarvis nodded ruefully, and then asked: "Where do you land?" Clarence smiled a little as he replied: "Wait until you hear my business, then you will know where I am going." "All right; fire away." And the expert settled himself into a listening attitude. "The truth is, Jarvis, I want you back on the old case." "What, the gambler's?" "Yes, Davlin; he is about at the end of his rope, and will, in a short time, be trying to quit the country. Did you ever see the woman who is his partner in iniquity? You heard considerable of her while looking up this business." "Heard of her? I should think so. Never saw her, though."