“Cleverly put—very!” chuckled Mr. Bragg, clapping the detective on the shoulder. “And, seeing’s your interest runs with mine, I’ll not mind helping you, when I can.”
“Then you’ll not object to my looking over the evidence with you, merely as an assistant?”
“Sure not!”
“I’ll keep mum, understand! Of course, I don’t expect to see all you’ll see, for detective work is not in my line; but what little I get may help Mr. French in conducting the case. And, say!”
“Well, sir?”
Keene slipped his hand through the constable’s brawny arm and drew him closer, to add confidentially:
“If you can make a hit in ferreting out the truth here, there’d be a big opening elsewhere for a man of your measure.”
“D’ye think so?” was the eager inquiry.
“I know so! Furthermore, since you’re inclined to do me a turn, I’d like to reciprocate some day. Our law firm, you know, stands ace high with Chief Watts, of the[{46}] Boston inspectors; and if it comes right, we can make a strong pull for you at headquarters.”
“And you’ll do it?”