"No doubt; but you will make more money by asking no questions. If things are as I suspect with these two it will put a lot of cash into your pockets. Meanwhile, hold your tongue."
"Very good Dr. Herrick," said the ferret meekly, "so long as you know your business, I don't need to teach it to you. But you know our firm. We are straight."
"So long as you are paid. Otherwise you prefer to keep gambling saloons unknown to the police. Oh, never fear man, I shall say nothing. By the way, lend me a revolver:"
"Ha!" said the ferret with sudden interest, "is it as bad as that?"
"I think so. One at least of the two will show fight, and it won't be the man you followed from Paddington. You had better come with me Belcher. I want to know if the coast is clear. If the two catch sight of me from the window, they may clear out. While I am talking to them, you and Kidd can remain outside. If you hear a shot, rush up with the nearest policeman. But I won't fire unless I am driven to it."
"Going to shoot one of them Dr. Herrick?" said Belcher producing a very serviceable weapon which Jim slipped into his breast pocket.
"Not unless either one draws on me. It is the Mexican I fear. But it is the more likely I shall only fire the revolver by way of a signal. You know what you have to do?"
"Yes sir," said the ferret with something of admiration in his whisper, "you ought to have been in our profession doctor. You provide against every chance."
"Except sudden death," laughed Jim as they went down the dingy stairs, "I have a tough article to deal with in that Santiago. Do you know anything about him Belcher."
The ferret shook his head and waved a neat umbrella to a passing hansom. "Not much sir," he replied, "he's been in England over six months, and always in the same lodgings. He has money but not too much of it. I got to know him at the club, and he gambled so high and won so much that I made it my business to look after him. But I could find out nothing to get the whip hand of him, sir."