"Bo," said he, chewing vigorously, "I mean boss--er--no, that ain't
right either--this is sure a bum start I'm makin'--"

"Bo' will do, Spider," said Ravenslee, "let it go at that."

"Why then, bo, I ain't one as is ever goin' t' win any gold-mounted
testimonials at any talk-fest or heart-throbbin' spiel-act, but what I
wanter tell you is this--an' I guess you know I ain't only breathin' out
puffs o' hot air--I want yer t' know as I feel about you like--like Joe
an' the Old Un does--an' then some more. Y' see, bo, though I ain't
never held a straight flush agin four aces an' don't expect to, though
I shan't ever be a world's champion like Joe here--I guess I know to-day
what it feels like, because you ain't goin' t' snuff it, after all--an'
now I guess you're on." Saying which, the Spider dexterously shifted
his wad to the other cheek and chewed faster than ever.

"I am, Spider, and I want you to know I'm grateful to you, all three.
Also I want to thank you all for keeping this affair out of the papers,
though how you managed it beats me."

"Guv," cried the Old Un, tremulous and eager, "oh, Guv, we're fair
sleuth-hounds, we are--specially me. There ain't a 'tective nor
secret-service cove nor bloomin' bobby fit to black our shoes--specially
mine! Y' see, Guv, I know who done it; Joe thinks he knows; an' Spider
don't think at all!"

"Oh?" said Ravenslee, and looking around, caught the Spider watching him
wide-eyed, his jaws grimly tense and immobile; but meeting his glance,
the Spider lowered his eyes, shifted his smartly-gaitered legs, and
chewed viciously.

"So, Guv," piped the Old Un cheerily, "we're out for the criminal's
gore--specially me. We're goin' to track the perisher to 'is 'orrible
doom--

"'Where'er he be
To th' gallers tree
Oh, Guv, we mean t' bring him;
An' laugh with j'y
When nice an' 'igh
The blinkin' bobbies swing 'im.'"

"And you think you know who it was?"

"I do, Guv, I do!" nodded the Old Un. "I knows as 'twas a enemy as done
it; Joe thinks it was one o' them gang fellers, an' Spider don't say who
he thinks done it."

Once again Ravenslee caught the Spider's eye watching him furtively, and
once again he noticed that the Spider's jaws were clamped hard, while he
was twisting his natty chauffeur's cap in fingers strangely agitated.

"Sir," said Joe, "me an' the Spider searched that wood, an' we found a
coat--"

"Shut up, Joe," snarled the Old Un, "you're tellin' it all wrong