“Why, no; not exactly. You see, Mr. Jarge asked me to keep the matter quiet. We did so.” “How does it happen that Mr. Jarge is in Hudson?” asked Klein. “He has left the boat, and started in business for himself. He is very successful, too, I believe. I had almost to force him to take my case to-night.” “Is that so?” Klein smiled to himself. “But did it ever occur to you, Mr. Lydecker, that this Jarge might have had a good reason for gaining your friendship in the manner he did?” “Why--why, what do you mean?” sputtered the older man. “Do you really know anything about him, other than what he had told you himself?” “I can’t say I do,” Mr. Lydecker admitted reluctantly. “But I do not see any reason for doubting----” “If you had taken the trouble to inquire at the Fall River offices in this city, you would have learned that they do not, and never have, employed private detectives on any of their boats.” “Nonsense, Mr. Klein!” broke in the other, “I cannot believe that Mr. Jarge would deliberately lie to me. Besides, he has done me a great favor, and I appreciate it.” “You are allowing your daughter to wear some of her most valuable pieces of jewelry to-night, are you not, Mr. Lydecker?” Klein questioned, apparently changing the subject. “Why, yes, I have allowed her to do so. You see, it is her birthday.” “And the majority of the women present are doing the same, I believe?” Mr. Lydecker admitted that such was the truth. “But,” he asked, “what has that to do with Mr. Jarge?” “It might not have a thing in the world to do with him,” responded Klein; “and again, it might.” They were interrupted at that moment, and the conversation was dropped. CHAPTER XXXII. A NEW TWIST TO THE PLOT. Klein went indoors, and mingled with the guests. He saw that Tod was playing his part like a veteran. After one of the dances the two managed to exchange a few words. “There’s some surprise in certain quarters,” Tod ventured, smiling. “Well, it won’t do any harm, now,” Klein answered. “I knew you would be recognized, and for that reason I wanted you to keep under cover until the right time.” “Where have you been?” “Talking with a friend of yours,” Klein observed. “Friend of mine?” “Yes; Mr. Jarge.” “Is that man here?” exclaimed Tod. “Very much so. Mr. Lydecker has engaged him as a private detective especially for this dance to-night.” “Good Lord!” The colt reporter whistled softly. “What do you make of it, Klein?” “I intend making a lot of it, a little later on,” responded Klein. “At least, I hope so. At present there is just one little gap to bridge. However, don’t you forget your part in the drama.” “There isn’t a chance in the world of my going up in the air now,” Tod replied, in a confident voice. “So, whenever you’re ready to ring down the curtain, go ahead; I’ll be in the picture.”