"But see here," Verelst excitedly exclaimed. "You must tell Dunwoodie. You——" In sheer astonishment he broke off.
Innocently Jones surveyed him. "You think it important as all that?"
"Important? Important isn't the word."
With the same air of innocence, Jones nodded. "I thought it wasn't the word. I should have said trivial."
"But——"
Wickedly Jones laughed. "If you feel reckless enough to go another basket of pippins, I will wager that if I tell Dunwoodie anything—and mind the 'if'—he will agree that the paper-cutter is of no consequence—except to its lawful owner, who wants it back."
"But tell me——"
"Anything you like. For the moment, though, tell me something."
"What?"
Jones blew a ring of smoke. "Do you happen to know whether Paliser had anything?"