“Well, that’s that,” said Chimp. “Now let’s get down to it and see what we can do.” “I might go to the joint again and have another talk with that guy,” suggested Mr. Molloy. “No sense in that,” said Chimp, somewhat perturbed. It did not at all suit his plans to have his old friend roaming about in the neighbourhood of Mon Repos while he was in residence. “I don’t know so much,” said Mr. Molloy thoughtfully. “I didn’t seem to get going quite good that last time. The fellow had me out on the sidewalk before I could pull a real spiel. If I tried again----” “It wouldn’t be any use,” said Chimp. “This guy Shotter told you himself he had a special reason for staying on.” “You don’t think he’s wise to the stuff being there?” said Dolly, alarmed. “No, no,” said Chimp. “Nothing like that. There’s a dame next door he’s kind of stuck on.” “How do you know?” Chimp gulped. He felt like a man who discovers himself on the brink of a precipice. “I--I was snooping around down there and I saw ’em,” he said. “What were you doing down there?” asked Dolly suspiciously. “Just looking around, Dolly, just looking around.” “Oh?” The silence which followed was so embarrassing to a sensitive man that Chimp swallowed his coffee hastily and rose. “Going?” said Mr. Molloy coldly. “Just remembered I’ve got a date.” “When do we meet again?” “No sense in meeting for the next day or two.” “Why not?” “Well, a fellow wants time to think. I’ll give you a ring.” “You’ll be at your office to-morrow?” “Not to-morrow.” “Day after?” “Maybe not the day after. I’m moving around some.” “Where?” “Oh, all around.” “Doing what?” Chimp’s self-control gave way. “Say, what’s eating you?” he demanded. “Where do you get this stuff of prying and poking into a man’s affairs? Can’t a fellow have a little privacy sometimes?” “Sure!” said Mr. Molloy. “Sure!” “Sure!” said Mrs. Molloy. “Sure!” “Well, good-bye,” said Chimp. “Good-bye,” said Mr. Molloy. “God bless you,” said Mrs. Molloy, with a little click of her teeth. Chimp left the tea shop. It was not a dignified exit, and he was aware of it with every step that he took. He was also aware of the eyes of his two colleagues boring into his retreating back. Still, what did it matter, argued Chimp Twist, even if that stiff, Soapy, and his wife had suspicions of him? They could not know. And all he needed was a clear day or two and they could suspect all they pleased. Nevertheless, he regretted that unfortunate slip. The door had hardly closed behind him when Dolly put her suspicions into words. “Soapy!” “Yes, petty?” “That bird is aiming to double-cross us.” “You said it!” “I wondered why he switched to that fifty-fifty proposition so smooth. And when he let it out that he’d been snooping around down there, I knew. He’s got some little game of his own on, that’s what he’s got. He’s planning to try and scoop that stuff by himself and leave us flat.” “The low hound!” said Mr. Molloy virtuously.