mploy of Lucian Davlin, for some unknown purpose.
What that purpose was, he must know at any cost.

By the time his plans were fairly matured, he observed that the group
of card-players was breaking up. In another moment, Jarvis lounged
lazily along and threw himself down upon the seat beside him.

In little more than half an hour they would be due in Bellair, and
what Clarence desired to say must be said quickly. Taking out his
cigar-case, he offered the man a weed, which was accepted with
alacrity, and while it was being lighted, Clarence said: "Are you
especially busy now?"

"N-o; only so-so."

"Learned anything more in regard to my man?"

"Davlin?" interrogatively.

"Yes."

"No," puffing contentedly; "we don't move in a case after it's paid
off."

"I see," smiling; and then, making his first real venture: "Could you
do some work for me to-morrow?"

Jarvis looked keenly at him, and Clarence hastened to say, with
perfect, apparent, candor:

"The fact is I have been put back by a patient, and my own personal
affairs have been neglected. So I have been unable to look you up at
the office, in order to put a little matter into your hands. To-day I
am called away unexpectedly." Then, as if struck by a sudden thought,
"How long will you be out of town?"

Jarvis shook his head. "Don't know."

"By Jove, what a pity. I'd rather have you than any other man, and I
won't stand about money; but my work won't keep long."

The doctor's flattery and the detective's avarice combined, had the
desired effect. Jarvis unbent, and became more communicative. "Fact
is," he said, squaring about, "I don't know my lay just yet."

"No?" inquiringly: "Going far out?"

"No."

"Well," as if about to drop the conversation, "I'm sorry you can't do
the job. It's big pay and success sure. The truth is," lowering his
voice confidentially, "there are two parties beside myself interested,
and both have plenty of money. It's a snug sum to the man who does our
work."

The detective looked grave, and then became confidential in his turn.

"The fact is,"--he was fond of using "facts" when it was possible to
lug one in--"I am sent out to a small town as a sub."

"A sub.?"

"Yes; substitute. You see, one of our men was detailed to do some work
for a chap who came to the Agency from this little town. It was a case
of record hunting. Well, the man went out last night all O. K.; he was
a little on the sport when off duty, but a tip-top