Clarence shifted his position so as to put himself behind the two men seated opposite Jarvis. As he did so, the expert glanced up, encountering the eye of Dr. Vaughan.
"How are you?" said that young man, nonchalantly.
Jarvis shot him a keen glance of intelligence, and replied, in the same off-hand tone: "High, you bet!"
Jarvis was attired like a well-to-do farmer; and Clarence guessed, at a glance, that his three companions were strangers, two of them being commercial tourists, without a doubt, and the third, a ruddy-looking old gent, who might have been anything harmless. Taking his cue from the "make up" of the detective, Clarence, after giving him an expressive glance, said, easily, "Sold your stock?"
Jarvis cocked up one eye as he replied, while shuffling the cards: "Every horn!"
"Want to buy?"
Jarvis looked him straight in the eye. "Want to sell?"
"Yes, rather."
Jarvis dealt round with great precision, and then said: "All right, Cap. I'll talk with you when I get through this game."
Clarence nodded, and presently sauntered away. As soon as his back was turned, Jarvis jerked his thumb toward him, saying, confidentially: