“’Pon my honor, I ain’t.” “I’ve seen Enoch since he came home. I’ve always put him down for a mighty liar, but now I find he is the most magnificent one I ever ran across.” “How is that?” “He’s been telling me he spent over a year killing tigers, lions, and elephants.” “I guess Enoch only told you truth,” said Burt. “If he did, he is a bigger man than ever I took him to be.” “When did you see him last?” “About fifteen minutes ago.” “Where?” “In the back room, reading the paper,” grinned Quick. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?” inquired Burt. “You didn’t ask me.” Burt found his man in the room back of the saloon, and he was alone. “Hello, Burt! It does my eyes good to see you,” said the detective’s former schoolmate. Burt took the hand that was extended to him. He could not forget the old days, even if the man had sunk to the level of a thief. “You knew where I could be found if you were anxious to see me.” “I’ve been abroad.” “Turning over a new leaf, I suppose?” remarked Burt. “Don’t be sarcastic, Burt; that’s just what I’m about.” “Is this crib a fit lounging-place for a reformed criminal?” Cook, as we shall continue to call him, actually blushed. “I can come here without falling from grace.” “You were in Africa.” Enoch started. “Who told you that?” “I know all about your trip with Henry Stolburst.” “You don’t know how mean he treated me, I’ll bet.” “How did he treat you mean?” “Left me in Gondar, Abyssinia, with just enough money to get to New York with.” “Does he owe you money, then?” “Yes,” replied Cook. “He is here in New York.” “I know it.” “Have you made any effort to collect what you claim due?” “Yes, but he won’t admit the claim,” replied Enoch. “That story sounds fishy.” Cook moved uneasily in his chair. It was clear to him that his companion and Stolburst were not strangers to each other. “I’m giving you a straight statement,” said Enoch. “I’ve seen Stolburst.” “So I suppose. What does he say?” “That you ran away from him.” “He lies.” “Let that go. You had a companion servant.” “Dick Kidd?” “That’s the party I have reference to,” replied Burt. “What about Dick?” “I want to know where he is.” Cook laughed. “I shouldn’t wonder he was inside a French prison just now,” he replied. “Why do you say that?” “I left Dick in Paris; he wanted me to remain with him, saying that the graft for two sharp chaps was immense over there.” “I happen to know that Dick Kidd came to this country with you.” As we know, Burt had no knowledge of the arrival of either. He simply made the statement as a feeler. “What do you want with Kidd?” inquired Enoch, after a pause. “First, I want you to admit he came to New York with you.” Cook hesitated. “Well, he did. What of it?” he finally blurted out. “There is this ‘of it,’” said Burt. “I’ve detected you in a lie.” “That may be a sin, but it is not reckoned a crime to lie, except under oath.” “Where is Kidd now?” “I don’t know.”