“Yes.”

So the talk ran on and Joe at length got up to take a look at the two men. They were Gaff Caven and Pat Malone. At once our hero drew out of sight again.

“How can you get the best of Vane, Gaff?” asked Malone, after a pause.

“There is but one way, Malone.”

“And that is?”

“Can I trust you?”

“Haven't you trusted me before?”

“We must—” Caven paused. “We won't talk about it in this public place. Come to my room and I'll lay my plan before you.”

Then the two arose and left the reading-room as rapidly as they had entered it.

[ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]