I took out my notebook, and said dubiously, “Well, I might put that across for you, but I think the Claim Department’s not going to be satisfied. With this confusion about names, they’re going to want the whole story.”

“Suppose you did put it across? When would I get the cheque?”

“Almost immediately.”

“I need the money,” she said.

I kept quiet.

She said, “The information I was after was very confidential.”

“Are you,” I asked, “a private detective?”

“No.”

“What is your occupation?”

She said, “I work in a night spot.”