His hand rested on the round piece of wood that framed the push-button, but he did not ring the bell.

Nick gave vent to a hollow groan, sank to his knees, and covered his face with his hands.

“Look here, you!” growled the man with the gun. “You’re pretty well dressed for a man working this sort of graft.”

“I’ve seen better days,” sniffed Nick.

“Bother! Better days don’t count. It’s what you are to-day, not last week, or last year. What do you call yourself?”

“My real name do you want, or the one I have been going by?”

“The one you go by now.”

“Chuffer Jones.”

The man with the gun gave a start.

“Chuffer!” he exclaimed. “You mean Chauffeur, don’t you?”