“The moment I saw you, I said: ‘Here is a man with vision, a big man, a man of sensibility! Superbus has a heart, feeling, simpatico—a man of affairs, a keen-eyed officer of the law!”
Mr. Superbus moved uneasily. He had all an amateur detective’s fear of misrepresentation. He coughed.
“Not exactly an officer of the law, sir. In a sense I am, and in a sense I’m not, though I used to be when I was a bailiff in the County Court.”
Dempsi smiled.
“But now you are a detective. A disciple of the immortal Holmes—what a man, what ingenuity! You are this—you told me?”
Julius hastened to correct a wrong impression.
“Private, sir, private. As I explained to you, sir, I was brought in——”
Dempsi never allowed anybody else to talk.
“To watch for a despicable scoundrel,” said Dempsi hotly. “That such should be at liberty! Double Dan! Even his name is deplorable! Ah! You are surprised that I have heard of this violator of sanctuaries? You clever detective, you are astounded and flabbergasted that I also know of this pestiferous brigand? Superbus, I ask a favour: when you have discovered him, send for me.”
There was a significant glitter in his eyes. His half-closed hands already dripped with the blood of his victim. Mr. Superbus was spellbound.