“That may be,” the other protested, “but they saw you pinch me!” “I’ll tell them it was all a mistake and I’ve got to call it off. I know the kind of help I want when I’m tackling a one man job.” “Do you think you can get away with it?” Denby asked doubtfully. “I always have,” Taylor said simply. “There’s no need for you to get scared.” Denby still seemed perturbed. “I’ve been hearing a lot about this R. J.,” he told the official. “I don’t like what I’ve heard either. Is he suspicious about you by any chance?” “What do you know about R. J.?” Taylor asked quickly. “Some friends of mine--business men--in London, tipped me off about him. They said he’s been investigating the bribery rumors in the Customs.” “Don’t you worry about him, my boy,” Taylor said with a reassuring air, “I’m the guy on this job.” “That’s all well enough,” Denby said, “but I don’t want to give up thirty thousand and then get pinched as well. I’ve got to think about myself.” Taylor leaned across eagerly. “Say, if that R. J. has scared you into thinking he’ll ball things up, I don’t mind admitting--in strict confidence--who he is.” “So you know?” Denby retorted. “Who is he? I want to be on my guard.” “Well, he isn’t a thousand miles from here.” “What!” Denby cried in astonishment. Taylor tapped himself upon the chest with an air of importance. “Get me?” “Well, that’s funny,” Denby laughed. “What’s funny?” Taylor retorted. “Why, R. J. is supposed to be death on grafters and you’re one yourself.” “I’m a business man,” Taylor said with a wink. “I’m not a grafter--I should worry about the Government.” “Well I guess I’ll take a chance,” Denby said, after a momentary pause. “That’s the idea,” Taylor cried cheerfully. “Provided,” Denby added, “you let me have a few words with your men. They’ve got to understand I’m innocent, and I want to see how they take it. You see, I don’t know them as well as you do. They’ve got to back you up in squaring me with the Harringtons. You’ve put me in all wrong here, remember.” “Why sure,” Taylor agreed generously, “talk your head off to ’em.” “And you’ll leave the girl out of it?” “I’ll do more than that,” Taylor told him with a grin; “I’ll leave her to you.” Denby heaved a sigh of relief. “Now we understand one another,” he said. “Here’s your money, Taylor.” “Much obliged,” Taylor responded. He handed the other the pearls. “I’ve no evidence,” he declared in high good humor, “that you ever had any necklace. Have a cigar, Mr. Denby?” [Illustration: “NOW WE UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER,” HE SAID. “HERE’S YOUR MONEY.” _Page 288_.] “Thanks,” the younger man returned; “I’ll smoke it later it you don’t mind. Now call ’em in.” “Certainly,” Taylor said briskly. “And say, I’m glad to have met you, Mr. Denby; and next time you’re landing in New York and I can be of use, let me know.” He leered. “I might be of considerable use, understand?” CHAPTER SEVENTEEN