“It is amusing,” she said, “without being in any way tempting! I cannot tell you very much about it, because I only started this morning.” She turned to the detective. “No, I shan’t trouble you very much, Mr. Parr,” she said. “The only thing of value in the office is a silver paper-weight--I don’t even have to post the letters,” she went on mockingly. “The office is built on the American plan, and there is a little shute in Mr. Yale’s private office that drops the letters straight away into the box in the hall below. It is very disappointing!” Solemn though she was, her eyes were dancing with merriment. “You’re a queer woman, Thalia Drummond,” said Parr, “and yet I’m sure there is some good in you.” The remark seemed to cause her unbounded amusement. She laughed until the tears were in her eyes, and Jack grinned sympathetically. Parr, on the other hand, showed no sign of amusement. “Be careful,” he said ominously, and the smile faded from her lips. “You may be sure I shall be very careful, Mr. Parr,” she said, “and if I am in any kind of trouble, you can be equally sure that I shall send immediately for you!” “I hope you will,” said Parr, “though I have my doubts.” Chapter XXI. River House Thalia went straight back to the office and found Derrick Yale sitting in his room reading through a heap of unanswered correspondence. “Is that the key? Thank you. Put it down there,” he said. “I am afraid you will have to answer most of these yourself. The majority of them are from foolish young people who wish to be trained as private detectives. You will find a form reply, and you can sign the answers yourself. And will you tell this lady,” he handed a letter across to her, “that I am so busy now that I cannot undertake any further commissions?” He took up the key from the table and held it for a second on his hand. “You saw Mr. Parr?” She laughed. “You’re almost terrifying, Mr. Yale. I did see Mr. Parr, but how did you know?” He shook his head smilingly. “It is really very simple, and I should take no credit for my gift,” he said, “any more than you take credit for your good looks and your predisposition to--shall I say ‘take things as you find them’?” She did not answer at once, then: “I am a reformed character.” “I believe you will reform in time. You interest me,” said Yale, and then, after a pause, “immensely!” And with a jerk of his head he dismissed her. She was in the midst of her work and her typewriter was clacking furiously when he appeared at the door of his room. “Will you try to get Mr. Parr on the telephone?” he said. “You will find his number on the register.” Mr. Parr was not in his office when she called, but half an hour later she reached him, and switched through the wire to the next room. “Is that you, Parr?” She heard his voice through the door, which was left ajar.