"Why don't you and he do it together?" I asked.
"He won't go into it without the backing of the Association."
"Why don't you go it alone?" I said. "You are powerful."
He glanced at me sharply. "I will when I see my way," he said. "Such police officers and detectives as have happened to come under my observation have not seemed to me the right men for the job. When I find my man——"
"Will you consider me as an applicant for the job?" I asked quietly.
He studied me hard. "I should be difficult to satisfy," he said.
"First of all as to references," I said. There were some good men who backed me. I gave him their names.
"How about Mount?" he asked.
"I have already applied to him for the job," I said frankly, "and was turned down. He is satisfied with the recovery of the pearls. As long as he has refused to go in, I think it would be better not to let him know about our plans. That, however, is up to you."
"I shall not let him know," Mr. Dunsany said briefly.