From the security of his retreat Colin subjected "Spike" Cooper to a critical examination. He was a tough-looking customer with broad, powerful shoulders and a lean, mahogany-coloured face. In spite of his somewhat shabby clothes he was evidently on familiar terms with Fenton, for he lounged back against the wall with his hands in his pockets and a half-smoked cigarette hanging from the corner of his lips. Colin turned to Joe. "Where did you come across him?" he asked. The ex-pugilist wrinkled his forehead. "Well, I can't say to rights. I think it was the Blue Boar at Shoreditch. 'E's bin 'anging arahnd these pubs for the last two months, though where 'e come from afore that Gawd knows. Some kind of a Yank, I reckon, judgin' by 'is talk." Colin took another long and deliberate stare at the oddly assorted couple. "Joe," he said, "will you do something for me?" "You ain't no call to ask that," returned Joe a little reproachfully. "I want to know all I can about that chap. I want you to follow him round and find out who his pals are and where he's living. Do you think you could manage it without giving away the show?" Joe's eyes brightened. "That's orl right, guv'nor," he replied encouragingly. "Jes' you push orf an' leave the job to me. I'll pick up 'is tracks now, after this 'ere cabinet council's over. There ain't no 'urry abaht them there jellied eels." "You're a brick, Joe," said Colin gratefully. "If you do happen to find out anything you might call round at Doctor Ashton's. You know his house in the High Street?" Joe nodded. "If I'm not there you've only got to leave a message that you want to see me and I'll be over at the Palace as soon as I get it." He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a couple of one pound notes. "Better take these," he added. "You might want to do a little bribery and corruption." Joe accepted the money and slipped it inside his belt. "You leave it to me, guv'nor," he whispered, "and don't you start worryin' if you don't 'ear nothin' fur a day or two. 'E's the sorter cove that's got to be 'andled cunnin', but I'll run 'im dahn right enough afore I done with 'im. I'll stick to 'im like 'is bleedin' shadder." As he spoke the two men opposite moved forward out of the shelter of the door. They stood for a moment on the edge of the pavement, exchanging a few final remarks, and then, with a curt nod to his companion, Fenton stepped into the roadway, and began to cross the street in the direction of the station. Keeping well behind the cart, Colin waited until he was safely in the booking-office. "We seem to be in luck, Joe," he observed cheerfully. "The pubs are shut, so if our pal's got a home he's probably on his way there now." He nodded toward the retreating figure of Mr. "Spike" Cooper, who with his hands still in his pockets was sauntering away casually up the street.