"You're safe to give me any information you possess."
"But if I let on to you I want to make sure of my rake in."
"About as sure as I am for the fifty dollars."
The man laughed, and said:
"Well, this is a nice joke all round."
"Yes, a nice joke," repeated the detective in a peculiarly significant tone.
"But," said the man. "I have some valuable information for
Vance."
"And so have I some valuable information for you, Mister Man, and now throw up your hands."
"You are not in earnest," said the man, and he approached a step nearer.
"You will find out I am in earnest."