Ogden was eyeing him with sudden suspicion. "Take that mask off and let's have a look at you." "Nothing doin'." "How am I to know you're on the level?" Mr. Crocker played a daring card. "All right," he said, making a move towards the door. "It's up to youse. If you t'ink I'm not on de level, I'll beat it." "Here, stop a minute," said Ogden hastily, unwilling that a promising business deal should be abandoned in this summary manner. "I'm not saying anything against you. There's no need to fly off the handle like that." "I'll tell Buck I couldn't get you," said Mr. Crocker, moving another step. "Here, stop! What's the matter with you?" "Are youse comin' wit me?" "Sure, if you get the conditions. Buck's got to slip me half of whatever he gets out of this." "Dat's right. Buck'll slip youse half of anyt'ing he gets." "All right, then. Wait till I've got this shoe on, and let's start. Now I'm ready." "Beat it quietly." "What did you think I was going to do? Sing?" "Step dis way!" said Mr. Crocker jocosely. They left the room cautiously. Mr. Crocker for a moment had a sense of something missing. He had reached the stairs before he realised what it was. Then it dawned upon him that what was lacking was the applause. The scene had deserved a round. Jimmy, vigilant in the gallery, heard the library door open softly and, peering over the rail, perceived two dim forms in the darkness. One was large, the other small. They crossed the room together. Whispered words reached him. "I thought you said you came in this way." "Sure." "Then why's the shutter closed?" "I fixed it after I was in." There was a faint scraping sound, followed by a click. The darkness of the room was relieved by moonlight. The figures passed through. Jimmy ran down from the gallery, and closed the windows softly. He had just fastened the shutters, when from the passage outside there came the unmistakeable sound of a footstep. CHAPTER XXII IN THE LIBRARY