“You are incurring considerable expense for nothing.”
He grinned. “It is a very great pleasure, I assure you.”
“You are asking the impossible,” she went on. 297 “Mr. Croyden told you the simple truth. He didn’t find the Parmenter jewels.”
The man’s face showed his surprise, but he only shrugged his shoulders expressively, and made no reply.
“I know you do not believe it—yet it’s a fact, nevertheless. Mr. Croyden couldn’t pay your demands, if he wished. Of course, we enjoy the experience, but, as I said, it’s a trifle expensive for you.”
The fellow’s grin broadened.
“You’re a good sport!” he said—“a jolly good sport! But we’re dealing with Mr. Croyden and Mr. Macloud, so, you’ll pardon me if I decline to discuss the subject.”