"I've seen you before, Cronin," responded Harry. "I watched you follow a man in New York. I was near by when you killed him. I might have made trouble for you, but I didn't. That proves, at least, I'm not your enemy."
"Why are you trailing me now, then? How did you find me? How did you happen to be on the same train?"
"That was just a coincidence, Cronin. I didn't recognize you on the train. I was getting off at Harrisburg and I happened to call up a friend from the booth next to yours. I heard you say where you were going to be. I realized who you were when I heard your name. I wanted to talk business with you. So I came here to the hotel."
"He was here in the room," explained Wally.
"That's right," admitted Harry. "I walked in, after I knocked. Then this other fellow came in and called me 'Steve.' He thought I was you, Cronin. I didn't tell him different. Thought I'd have a little fun with him."
* * *
Steve Cronin sat on the edge of the bed and whistled softly. He studied Harry for fully a minute.
"Look here, Vincent," he said at last. "This story of yours is fishy. That's all right. I expected it to be. I'd have told a fishy story myself if I were you."
"I've told you the facts, Cronin."
"You've told me some facts," resumed Cronin with an easy smile. "But I want more. You know who I am and you know some things about me. If you're a dick, you're dumber than most of them. If you're a crook, you're a smooth one; and that's what I think you are. What's your game?"