"Well," came the voice of the false rajah, "I chased out the suckers, and then met the saps. Professor Jacques and Anita Marie."
"What did they have to say?"
"Jacques was all worried about the mess he landed into. Told me how surprised he was when everybody stuck with him on that crazy notion about a spirit hand throwing the knife. Said if it hadn't been for one intelligent person in the mob, he would never have been able to swing the detectives after the fellow who made his getaway."
"Did he name the intelligent person?"
"Yes," laughed Rajah Brahman. "He said that a man named Benjamin Castelle had the bright idea, and it pulled him out of a mighty tough spot."
The visitor made no response, so Rajah Brahman resumed his conversation. Now, his tone was questioning.
"Who was the fellow who started the trouble?" he asked.
"I don't know," replied the visitor.
"I don't like it, chief," declared the rajah. "Jacques certainly lost his head when he swung the dirk. That's bad stuff.
"If the police knew he was hooked up with me, they would be watching this place. A fine mess — just when I've arranged to fleece the lambs after they have been herded into the barnyard."