"A study in itself," Lopez said without emotion. "What are you after, you rascal?" "My Lopez, you are taking liberties. I am a baronet of old creation, whereas you are what you are." "Arcades ambo. You sent for me, and I am here; my time is money. Once more, what are you driving at?" "I’m puzzled," Frobisher replied, still ogling his cheque-book lovingly. "Frankly, I’m puzzled. If I were not so busy with the big things I’d soon solve the little ones. Are you ever puzzled, Lopez?" "Occasionally," Lopez replied. "When people tell me the truth, for instance. There was one man who had everything to gain by lying to me, and he didn’t do it. That was a tough job." Frobisher did not appear to be listening. With a pen in his hand he wrote the words "Paul Lopez" on the top line of a cheque. The cosmopolitan’s eyes flashed for a moment. "Well, I am going to tell you the truth," Frobisher went on. "Such a course under the circumstances will save me a lot of trouble. Mind you, I am going to tell the absolute truth. You know all about the Shan of Koordstan, of course. He promised me certain things, and now he is trying to wriggle out of his bargain. At the same time, he wants to complete it. There is some obstacle in the way because I am prepared to pay him more money than any one else, and he wants all the cash he can get. Now, if it were worth my while, I could get to the bottom of this business very soon, but you don’t want sprats on the hook that you have baited for a whale. You must find this out for me." "And if I promise to find this out for you, what then?" Frobisher wrote the words "five hundred pounds" under the name of Paul Lopez on the cheque and appended his queer, cramped signature. As he lay back with a smile, Lopez coolly reached over, tore the cheque from the counterfoil and placed it in his pocket. "Good," he said. "The money is already mine. I’ve had a few of your cheques in my time, and I have earned every one of them. I have earned this already." Frobisher displayed no surprise or emotion of any kind. Lopez was worth his money, and he never boasted. The information needed would be cheap at the price. He waited for Lopez to speak. "The Shan of Koordstan is generally hard up," the latter said. "He is a precious rascal, too. I have already dogged and watched him because he might be a profitable investment some day." "Precisely," Frobisher chuckled, "precisely as you have studied me. Well, you are quite welcome to all the milk you can extract from this cocoanut. You are interesting me, beloved spy." "Koordstan has been unlucky lately in his many dealings. The tribes are fighting shy of him. And in the depths of his despair he found a friend and philanthropist in Aaron Benstein. In other words, he must have given Benstein really good security for his money. Mind, I am speaking from personal knowledge." "You are earning your money," Frobisher croaked. "Do you know what the security is?"