"It's what they put in the bills," grumbled the man in corduroy, offering no comment on these expressions of opinion, "and I don't see no mention of it in that there blooming bill." "It's what they put in the Government bills," said the second man, "but this ain't a Government bill. It's a reward of £500 offered by a private individual." "A private individual!" sneered the first speaker. "You don't call Mr. Reginald Boyd a private individual in this here case, do you? He's a interested party, that's what _he_ is. What I say is--and anybody can take it up as likes--where's the indoocement to peach on a pal?" "Well, don't take it to heart, mate," said another. At which there was a general laugh. "Do you know how it runs in the Government bills?" "No, I don't; but I know it's alias there, and allus should be there." "I can give you the words, if you wish to hear them," said a quiet onlooker, who, meditatively rubbing his chin, was watching the crowd and the billsticker. Dick repressed a start. It was the voice of Detective Lambert, with whom he was acquainted. He turned and accosted the officer, who put his finger to his lips, thus indicating that they were not to address each other by name. "Good morning," said Dick. "Good morning," said Lambert. "I did not know you were in this line of business." "Anything to turn an honest penny, said Dick, cheerfully. "Give us the words, mate," said the man in corduroy. "They run in this way. 'And the Secretary of State for the Home Department will advise the grant of her Majesty's gracious Pardon to any accomplice not being the person who actually committed the murder, who shall give such evidence as shall lead to a like result.'" "You seem to be well up in it, guv'nor." "Fairly well. I did a turn in a Government printing office once." "Then you could inform us, perhaps, as a matter of general interest," said an elderly man, "whether the accomplice, who would be Queen's evidence----" "Yes, Queen's evidence." "Would get the reward as well as the pardon?" "In course he would," said the man in corduroy, answering for Lambert. "That's the beauty of it. Only wish _I_ was an accomplice in this here blooming murder, with them words in that there bill orfered by the Government. I'd touch, mates, pretty quick, that's what _I'd_ do. But as it stands, where's the indoocement? It ain't 'arf a bill without the indoocement." This insistence of the implied merit attaching to an act of treachery did not seem to meet with the approval of many in the crowd, who edged away, with distrustful looks at the speaker. Dick also walked off, and Detective Lambert walked by his side awhile, Mr. Higgins shambling humbly in the rear. "A bold move," remarked Lambert. "A proper move," said Dick. "Anything new stirring?"