There was a low brick wall dividing the yard from the street, and a back piazza behind the house.
If I could only get him out into the back yard and through the side gate I thought, I shall be all right.
I knew it was make or break with me. If he was an innocent man, my detective career was as good as closed, for Opdyke was a lawyer and a member of a good New York family. Nothing short of finding the jewels in his possession would fill the bill.
Then I resolved to try the power of dollars and my official shield.
“Sam,” I said, button-holing the darky in the hall.
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you want to make ten dollars?”
“Yes, sir, you bet, ef it won’t cost me my job.”
“Do you see that tall, black-haired man in there?”
“Yes, sir.”