ws and settled back again. "Do I
gather from your remarks, Mr. Marsh, that you mean to imply
something?"

"No," returned Marsh, "I am just stating an obvious situation."

Hunt now leaned toward Marsh. "Have the police arrived at the same
conclusions?"

"Have you ever noticed," countered Marsh, "that what the police know
usually appears in the papers?"

"You mean by that that the police have not formed the same
connection which you have?"

"I inferred as much," returned Marsh.

"Are you thinking of bringing your theories to their attention?"
asked Hunt, as he again settled himself back against the cushions.

"That depends."

"On what?" inquired Hunt.

"Yourself."

Hunt remained silent for a moment, then said, "Do I understand that
you are making me a proposition?"

"I'm not laying myself open to a charge of blackmail, Mr. Hunt."

"No," jeered Hunt, "I see you're a clever rogue. I might have
guessed as much when you offered to investigate this matter for me."

"A man must make a living," returned Marsh.

"This is a cheap way to do it."

"I haven't had your opportunities," snapped Marsh.

"Damn you!" cried Hunt, leaping to his feet and shaking his fist in
Marsh's face. "I'll hand you over to the police."

"And lose a good lieutenant, Mr. Hunt?"

"You're a dirty blackguard, Marsh," stormed Hunt. "You've worked
your way into my confidence and now attempt to use your knowledge to
hold me up. I admit that you've got me by the throat. A man placed
in the position which you have made only too clear to me has only
one way out. Of course, I could clear myself, but the stigma and
suspicion would remain. All right, what's your price?"

Marsh stared in puzzled silence for a moment, as Hunt glared down at
him. In some ways the outcome of the conversation was not exactly
what he had expected.

"Mr. Hunt," he said, rising, "I'm in this thing for bigger game than
a few hundred dollars."

"I told you to name your price," replied Hunt.

"As I told you before," returned Marsh, "I'm not laying myself open
to a charge of blackmail. You think the matter over for a day or
two; and in the meantime I'll take my coat and hat."

Hunt hesitated for a moment, then struck a bell which stood on a
small table by the davenport. A moment later his man appeared with
Marsh's coat and hat and assisted him to put on his coat.

"Good night, Mr. Hunt," said Marsh, smiling, and holding out his
hand.

"Good night," said Hunt, sh