The detective now seated himself close to the partition between the two rooms, took out his pad of paper and his pen, and prepared to listen with all his ears to what might be going on in the other apartment.
The first words that reached him were spoken by Taylor.
"So you ain't so blamed anxious to buy after all?" he was saying.
"That depends upon circumstances," returned Barney, quickly.
"What circumstances?"
Barney seemed to hesitate for a moment, then he abruptly asked:
"When did you see Hen Chamberlain last?"
"Who?" demanded Taylor, in a tone of surprise.
"Oh, pshaw! You know well enough who I mean. Call him Frank Clark, if you like."
Taylor started slightly, but presently said, calmly enough: