On the street the big athlete said to Ashton-Kirk:
"Burton knew Big Slim, and had a little job framed up with him, eh? Well, that knocks me over, for sure."
"It's odd," said Ashton-Kirk, "how things seem to fall into place." Scanlon saw the light of speculation in the singular eyes, but made no comment. A little later the investigator went on: "That you should have this rather extraordinary experience of yours with Big Slim, and now—"
He paused, deep in thought; and as he did not resume, Bat said:
"Nora knows this crook; now we find that the Bounder knew him too; and they both have had dealings of some sort with him."
But Ashton-Kirk was deep in thought, and made no reply. They continued to walk on, the squares lengthening into miles; on the outskirts he suddenly stopped.
"Hello!" said he, looking about, rather surprisedly. "We're here, are we?"
"I thought I wouldn't disturb you, seeing that you seemed to be thrashing it out," said Scanlon.
The criminologist looked at his watch.
"There's a subway station only a little way from here," said he. "Let's get back. There's one or two things I want to do."