"Jasher sat down and wiped his bald forehead.
"I had the pleasure of seeing you out of the window of Professor Bocaros's house. You were walking with a young lady. He told me your name and----"
"That's all right. Well, sir, I'm hanging out here, looking after this case. Yes, you bet I've taken a hand."
"Jasher looked annoyed, and turned to Calvert.
"You gave the case into my hands, sir," he said in an aggrieved tone.
"That's as right as a pie," said Tracey coolly, and before Arnold could speak; "but I guess you're paid, and I'm an amateur. There's no law against my joining in this old country, is there?"
"No," said Jasher stiffly; "but I prefer to work alone."
"Right you are. I'll swing on my own peg. Well"--Tracey lighted his sixth cigarette--"what's doing?"
Jasher, with marked annoyance, turned his broad back on the man who was meddling--as he considered it--with his business, and addressed himself to Arnold.
"Do you wish me to report, sir?"