"You gave the case into my hands, sir," he said in an aggrieved tone. "That's as right as a pie," said Tracey coolly, and before Arnold could speak; "but I guess you're paid, and I'm an amateur. There's no law against my joining in this old country, is there?" "No," said Jasher stiffly; "but I prefer to work alone." "Right you are. I'll swing on my own peg. Well"--Tracey lighted his sixth cigarette--"what's doing?" Jasher, with marked annoyance, turned his broad back on the man who was meddling--as he considered it--with his business, and addressed himself to Arnold. "Do you wish me to report, sir?" "If you please," said Calvert, amused by the detective's anger. "I would rather do it alone." Tracey lifted his shoulders. "I'll take a hand at patience in another room," said he, sauntering to the door. "Call me when the pow-pow's over, Calvert," and he went out singing, with Jasher looking after him distrustfully. "Well, Jasher, what is it?" asked Calvert, sitting down again. The detective took a seat, and looked sadly at his employer. The two could hear Tracey singing in the back garden, so they talked in their ordinary tones. Shortly the singing stopped, but then Jasher was too much engrossed to think Tracey might be listening. However, he set the door of the room ajar so that the American's ear should not be at the keyhole. Having taken this precaution, he sat down, and as above stated looked sadly at his employer. "Why don't you trust me, sir?" he asked reproachfully. "In what way?" asked Calvert, turning cold. "Well, sir, you mayn't know it, but Professor Bocaros grudges you this fortune, and wants to get up a case against you." "I fancy he'll find that difficult. Has he been troubling you?" "He wanted me to play low down," said Jasher gloomily; "but as you are my employer, and have the money--I must be frank," he broke off in a burst of confidence--"you have the cash and Bocaros hasn't, so I stick to you." "Thanks!" said Arnold dryly. "Well?" "I am still friends with Bocaros," went on Jasher calmly, "as I don't want him to suspect, and I must keep an eye on him. However, he's found out several things." Here Jasher stopped and looked at Arnold firmly. "You, sir, were the man with the pointed beard who spoke to Mulligan, and had the latch-key." "How can you prove that?" asked Calvert quietly.