"They are--everything. The Home Office has been cabled. To-morrow every British official throughout the world will be notified to render you assistance and honor your drafts." Inspector Frawley heard with approval and consulted his watch. "There's an express for New York leaves at noon," he said reflectively--then, with a glance at the clock, "thirty-five minutes; I can make that, sir." "Good, very good." "If I might suggest, sir--if the Inspector who has had the case in hand could go a short distance with me?" "Inspector Keech shall join you at the station." "Thank you, sir. Is there anything further?" The Secretary shook his head, and springing up, held out his hand enthusiastically. "Good luck to you, Inspector--you have a big thing ahead of you, a very big thing." "Thank you, sir." "By the way--you're not married?" "No, sir." "This is pretty short notice. How long have you been on this other case?" "A trifle over six months, sir." "Don't you want a couple of days to rest up? I can let you have that very easily." "It really makes no difference--I think I'll leave to-day, sir." "Oh, a moment more, Inspector--" Frawley halted. "How long do you think this ought to take you?" Frawley considered, and answered carefully: "It'll be long, I think. You see, there are several circumstances that are unusual about this case." "How so?" "Well, Buck is clever--there's no gainsaying that--quite at the top of the profession. Then, he's expecting me." "You?" "They're a queer lot," Frawley explained with a touch of pride. "Crooks are full of little vanities. You see, Bucky knows I've never dropped a trail, and I think it's rather gotten on his nerves. I think he wasn't satisfied until he dared me. He's very odd--very odd indeed. It's a little personal. I doubt, sir, if I bring him back alive." "Inspector Frawley," said the new Secretary, "I hope I have sufficiently impressed upon you the importance of your mission." Frawley stared at his chief in surprise. "I'm to stick to him until I get him," he said in wonder; "that's all, isn't it, sir?" The Secretary, annoyed by his lack of imagination, essayed a final phrase. "Inspector, this is my last word," he said with a frown; "remember that you represent Her Majesty's government--you are Her Majesty's government! I have confidence in you." "Thank you, sir." Frawley moved slowly to the door and with his hand on the knob hesitated. The Secretary saw in the movement a reluctance to take the decisive step that must open before him the wide stretches of the world. "After all, he must have a speck of imagination," he thought, reassured. "I beg pardon, sir." Frawley had turned in embarrassment. "Well, Inspector, what can I do for you?"