Herrick shrugged his shoulders. "As you please; but it is true for all that. I know the cipher, but I give you my word I did not insert it. You knew the cipher, and I am sure you did not use it to betray your father. The only other person who knew it was the Don, and he has left this last sting behind him out of revenge for losing the money." Robin shook his head. "I might believe that," he said, "if I did not know it was you." "But I tell you it was not!" cried Jim impatiently. "It was. It was. Those private detectives who worked for you told me all about it. You told them to have my father arrested." "Belcher and Kidd!" cried Herrick jumping up. "Ah, you know the name. Yes. They gave notice to the police and had my poor father taken. I guessed it was their work and through you." Dr. Jim stood for a moment in a brown study. He saw well enough what had occurred. The ferret had made use of Santiago to find out the business, and knowing of the reward had made use of the information extorted from Santiago. "I expect they let him leave England on condition that he told them the business and helped them to trap Frisco by means of the cipher. The scoundrels!" "Well," said Robin "what are you going to do now?" "I am going to see Belcher and Kidd," said Herrick, "and I tell you Robin that your friend Santiago has done all this. I have had no hand in it." "But why should Santiago--" "You had better ask your father that," said Herrick. "I suspect he has no cause to love that Mexican! You can believe me or not Robin. But the truth is the truth. I have not played you false." Robin shook his head. He still doubted. Dr. Jim tried no longer to convince him, but left the flat to have it out with the treacherous firm he had employed. CHAPTER XXIV THE STORY OF FRISCO It was not until Herrick was well on his way back to the centre of the Town, that he remembered his omission to ask Robin about the typewritten letter. But after all, it did not matter. He knew perfectly well that Joyce had typed it at his father's dictation, and the denial or admission of the little man would make no difference. Things had got past that point. "I must see Belcher and Kidd," said Herrick to himself, "and learn exactly how Santiago managed the business. Then I'll give Frith a look in. I must find some way of speaking to Frisco. Now that he is driven into a corner, he may tell the truth--that is, if it is not likely to hang him." When he arrived at the Strand office of the private inquiry firm, he was received by Kidd. Belcher, it appeared, had gone out for the day on business. Kidd was a heavy man with a red face, and a pair of leering grey eyes. Dr. Jim could put up with the ferret but Kidd he detested. However, as Kidd was the only representative of the firm present, he tackled him, and with no light hand, for Jim was in a royal rage at the way he had been tricked by this cunning pair of rascals.