The detective waited for him to go on, which he did after taking breath.
"I'm in a little trouble, and there's a woman in the case," he said. "It's this way: I once met a young girl who would not listen to me. I believe I promised to marry her, but I never thought of doing that. It's the way all over the world. She is pure yet, but she's a vengeance hunter. She gives me a good bit of trouble, shadows me and all that. I don't want to be bothered with her. You understand, Riggs?"
Old Broadbrim smiled.
Of course he understood the cool-hearted villain.
"She's here again," Merle went on. "I found a footstep in the sand last night which I know was not made by Belle. Stareyes is back to Round Robin."
"Stareyes? Is that her name?"
"Yes, that's what we call her. She lives in Perth, but she wanders off to Melbourne and is ready at all times to make war between me and Belle, whom she hates with all an Australian's nature."
"But you can meet her without help, can't you?"
"Hang it, no. I have a good many things to look after here, and she's liable to turn up at any time."
"I see."