r Calamont as soon as I have finished with the
meal I am now eating."

"And what do you wish me to do?"

"I want you to do a serious thing, and a dangerous one, Patsy."

"Good! That is what I would like to do."

"I think that Black Madge rather liked you in your character of a young
Irish crook; but I think also that she had some suspicion of you."

"There isn't any doubt of that."

"And, therefore, it will be an extremely dangerous thing to do to return
there, and still represent yourself as the same character."

"Gee! Is _that_ what you want me to do?"

"Yes. Do you suppose it can be done?"

"It can be tried."

"You must not forget that they will look upon you with suspicion."

"Oh, I don't forget that."

"They will connect you with their misfortunes at once. Handsome,
particularly, after being so nicely fooled by me, will be even more
suspicious of you."

"I think I can get around Handsome, all right. It is Madge I am shy of."

"There will be one thing in your favor, Patsy, if you _do_ undertake
it."

"If I _do_ undertake it? Of course, I shall undertake it."

"Then there will be one thing in your favor."

"What is that, please?"

"The very fact that you _do_ go back among them in the same character in
which you appeared before. I am inclined to think that now they would
not take in a new man, no matter how well he might be recommended; but
one that they have known before will stand a lot better chance with
them."

"I think so."

"The very fact of your returning will go far to allay any suspicions
they might have had about you formerly. It would never occur to them
that if you were really a detective that time, you would dare to return
to them in the same character."

"You are right about that."

"And, consequently, if you succeed in passing the investigation of the
first few hours, you will be all right."

"I am going to try it, anyhow."

"Good, Patsy! But don't for a moment forget or neglect the danger you
will be in every minute you are there."

"I will not."

"You will have to cook up a good story----"

"I have that all ready now."

"Then you can start whenever you please. I shall not interfere with you
in the slightest manner."

"But I want a little further instruction, chief."

"The only instruction I have to give you is this: Go there; get among
them; become one of them, and one with them; pick up all the information
about them that you can, with names and identificatio