Mr. Morley, what do you know of such work?" he
asked, bantering.

"Much more than you would give me credit for. Did you ever hear of--by
the way, this is another of my secrets I am telling you, so please don't
repeat it."

"Are you going to say that you were in the profession?"

"I am. You may have heard of Joe Bart."

"I should think so," said Steel quickly. "He had a splendid reputation,
and was much thought of. But he retired before I came to London. I was
in the country police for a long time. But"--he started up--"you don't
mean to say that----"

"That I am Joe Bart?" interrupted Morley, not ill-pleased. "Yes, I do. I
retired over ten years ago, more fool I. You see, Steel, I grew wearied
of thief-catching, and as I had a chance of marrying a widow with money,
I took the offer and retired. But"--he looked at the summons--"the game
wasn't worth the candle. I have had nothing but trouble. Still, I am
devoted to my wife and her children."

"And you have forgotten your former glory," said Steel enthusiastically;
"surely not. That Hatton Garden jewel robbery, the man with the red coat
who committed the Lichfield murder, and----"

"I remember them all," said Morley, with gentle melancholy. "I have a
full report of all the cases I was engaged in yonder"--he nodded to a
distant shelf. "Sometimes I take those volumes down and think what an
ass I was to retire."

"But see here, Mr. Morley. You are hard up; you want money. I am sure
they would be glad to have you back at the Yard. Why not recommence
your detective life with searching out this case?"

Morley, late Joe Bart, shook his head. "There is no difficulty about
this case to tempt me," he said. "Anne Denham killed the girl. But I
must say I should like to find out about this clerk, and why he went off
with her. Still, it is useless for me to become a detective again. In
the first place my wife would not like it, and in the second I have lost
my keen scent. I am rusty--I am laid on the shelf. No, no, Steel, you
look after this matter yourself. Any advice I can give you I shall, but
don't tempt the old dog out of his kennel."

Steel looked admiringly at his host. Bart had been a celebrated
detective in his day, although not one of the best. Still, he had made a
reputation on two or three cases, which entitled him to respect. "I
should be proud to work with you, Mr. Morley."

"Well, well," said Morley, rather pleased, "we'll see. At present I must
put my wit