“I don’t see why not, if you earn it, by restoring Kim to me.”

“Well, don’t let’s speak of reward! To give you happiness is all the reward I shall ask. I don’t want pay for that!”

A visitor was announced, and in another minute Joe Allison entered the room.

“Oh, Elsie,” he cried; “I’m finding out things! Beg pardon, I thought you were alone.”

Elsie introduced the two men, and Joe favoured Fenn Whiting with a long steady glance.

“How do you do?” he said; “I’m glad to meet you, Mr. Whiting, for lots of reasons.”

“Thank you,” said Whiting; “am I to know them?”

“You bet. But, I say, you’re in with us on this deal?”

“Rather! Still, I’d like to know more of your ideas of what the deal is.”

“Oh, yes; sure. I mean this notion of Elsie’s offering a reward for the return of her missing man.”