“Burt Cromwell will not be long in discovering a clue, take my word for it.”

Ajeeb smiled depreciatingly.

“You exalt this man’s gifts to a ridiculous point,” he said.

“My friend,” remarked Barry, “you know I am not a coward.”

“I admit that.”

“In a personal encounter I have never yet met a man able to best me, but I will confess I am afraid of this man. Why, I do not know.”

The high priest believed his friend to be a very brave fellow. That made the fear Barry expressed all the more impressive.

“This detective, you say, is brave?”

“Yes, and shrewd.”

“I am sorry.”