Cheyne glared at her as he asked thickly: “Then who is the present principal?” “Mr. Speedwell.” “Damn,” said Cheyne: then as he looked at the smiling face of the pretty clerk he suddenly felt ashamed of himself. “I’m sure I beg your pardon,” he said, and as he saw how neatly he had got his desserts he laughed ruefully himself. This confounded temper of his, he thought, was always putting him into the wrong. He was just determining for the thousandth time that he would be more careful not to give way to it in future when Mr. Speedwell’s melancholy voice fell on his ears. “Ah, that is better, sir. Won’t you come back and let us resume our discussion?” Cheyne re-entered the private room. “I’m sorry I lost my temper,” he said, “but really your proposition was so very—I may say, amazing, that it upset me. Of course you were not serious in what you said?” Mr. Speedwell leaned forward and became the personification of suave amiability. “I sell my wares in the best market, Mr. Cheyne,” he declared. “You couldn’t blame me for that; it’s only business. But I don’t want to drive a hard bargain with you. I would rather have an amicable settlement. I’m always one for peace and goodwill. An amicable settlement, sir; that’s what I suggest.” He beamed on Cheyne and rubbed his hands genially together. “If you have information which would be useful to me I am prepared to pay its full value. As a matter of fact I called for that purpose. But you couldn’t have any worth two hundred pounds or anything like it.” “No? Well, just what do you want to know?” “Dangle’s address.” “I can give you that. Anything else?” Cheyne hesitated. Should he ask for all the information he could get about the sinister quartet and their mysterious activities? He had practically admitted the burglary. Should he not make the most of his opportunity? In for a penny, in for a pound. “Did you ever hear of a man called Sime?” he asked. “Of course, sir. Number Three of the quartet.” “I should like his address also.” “I can give it to you. And Blessington’s?” “Yes, Blessington’s too.” Cheyne was amazed by the knowledge of this Speedwell. He would give a good deal to find out how he had obtained it. “What are the businesses of these men?” “That,” said Mr. Speedwell, “is three questions. First: What is Dangle’s business? Second: What is Sime’s business? Third: What is Blessington’s business? Yes, sir, I can answer these questions also.” “How did you find all that out?” Mr. Speedwell smiled and shook his head. “There, sir, you have me. I’m afraid I can’t tell you that. You see, if we professional detectives were to give away our little methods to you amateur gentlemen we should soon be out of business. You, sir, will appreciate the position. It would be parting with our capital, and no business man can afford to do that. Anything else, Mr. Cheyne?” “You mentioned a paper?” “Yes, sir?” “Where is it?” “That I can answer partially.” “What is it about?” “I do not know.”