nder the crust,--the man who met us at the station is a daring
housebreaker; the chauffeur a second-story man, the only one I ever knew
who had the slightest judgment; the butler is a hotel thief, and a
shrewd operator until he got too corpulent for transom work. Down to the
scullery maid, who was a clever shoplifter, all the servants are crooks
I've picked up and installed here until they can do what Leary's doing,
invest their ill-gotten gains in some legitimate business. When Baring
offers you the asparagus or serves your coffee you may derive a thrill
from the knowledge that the man at your elbow has enough rewards hanging
over him to make any one rich who can telephone his whereabouts to
police headquarters in any town in America. As all branches of the
profession are represented here my retainers repay my hospitality by
keeping me in touch with their comrades everywhere."

Archie wiped the perspiration from his face and groped for the decanter.

"You're not afraid--not afraid of _them_!"

"Ingratitude, my dear Archie, is reserved for the highbrow moralist; I
trust these people with my life and liberty, and they know I'll not only
protect them but that my facilities for shielding them and assisting in
the liquidation of their loot is theirs to command. While they are here
their lives are wholly circumspect, though they are not without their
temptations. With a place like this to operate from they could raid this
whole block and back vans up to my door and cart it away. Officious
caretakers and hidden wires connected with detective agencies would only
stimulate their wits. But nothing doing, Archie! A policeman on this
beat suggested to Baring, over a bottle of beer in the basement, the
lifting of plate in a house round the corner, but what did Baring do but
show the fellow the door! And yet Baring has stolen thousands of
dollars' worth of stuff of all kinds and has it well planted waiting for
me to turn it into cash. By the way, you saw the chap who brought in the
tray? You probably noticed his melancholy air? I had just told him of
Hoky's death and he's all broken up. He and Hoky ranged the Missouri
River towns a few years ago and the police out there are still trying to
explain their plunderings."

"I suppose, I suppose," Archie timidly ventured, "you've told them about
_me_?"

"Not a word! They'd be jealous: wouldn't understand how I made you a
guest when all the rest of 'em have to work for a living. You wi