"As a matter of course." "Who'd pay it to him?" "It would be paid through the captain." "Through you?" "Through me." "Then there'd be sure to be no cheating, and the mate could give it to mother." "Could do what he pleased with it," said Dick, dropping his nautical, and coming back to his original, self, "and we're going straight to the printer to get the bill printed." "How much is the reward, Dick?" "Two hundred pounds." "Oh, my!" Gracie caught her breath. "I don't believe father was ever worth as much as that in all his life. That's a big lot of money, ain't it?" "A tidyish sum. You don't object?" "You can't do nothing wrong, Dick." "Then the partnership goes on swimmingly, and you won't mind seeing it on the walls. There will be another bill, offering a larger reward for the conviction of the murderer. All we want to get at is the truth, so that the innocent may be cleared and the guilty punished. I'm of the opinion it will surprise Dr. Vinsen. The slimy reptile! I'd like to twist his neck for him." "I'd like to see you do it," said Gracie, not a muscle of her face moving. "You're something like a partner. Have you any idea where the reptile lives?" "No." "You could find out, I dare say." "Oh, yes, I can find out if you want me to," said Gracie, quite confidently. "That's your sort. Only don't look for him in the reptile house at the Zoo, where his relations live. I want to know ever so many things about him. Whether he lives alone, or has a wife. Whether he has any children, and whether they have little bald heads with halos round them like their venerable parent. Whether he practises as a doctor, and what his neighbours think of him, etc., etc., etc. It's a large order, Gracie." "I'll do it, Dick." "You're a brick. Here we are at the printer's. But you mustn't go away without the needful for current ex's. You might want to jump into a bus, and if you keep out all day you'll want something to eat. Hold out your hand--one shilling, two shillings, a sixpence, and some coppers. If you've anything to tell me come to Aunt Rob's house any time between six and eight. I've a particular reason for not wanting to be seen with you in Catchpole Square to-night. Here are a couple more coppers for brandyballs for the babies at home. Now, off with you, my little detective. No sleeping partners in our firm. You and I, working together, will make Scotland Yard sit up. We'll beat the Criminal Investigation Department, even if it has a dozen Dr. Vinsens to back it up. Here's a kiss for good luck, Gracie." "Thank you, Dick," said Gracie, and away she scudded, proud of the task entrusted to her.