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"It's a catch," said the explosive man suspiciously

"Not on your life," replied the scornful Staines "Where does the

catch co he could catch us for?"

"Let's have a look at that telegra read it in a dazed way, remarked: "He'll wait for you at the

office until nine Well, Jack, nip up and fix that deal Take the

transfers with you Close it and take his cheque Take anything he'll

give you, and get a special clearance in the ht"

Honest John breathed heavily through his nose and staggered frolances of the barman were, for once,

unjustified, for Mr Staines was labouring under acute e at his desk, a very silent, taciturn Bones, who

greeted him with a nod

"Sit down," said Bones "I'll take that property Here's ers Mr Staines prepared the transfers It was he

who scoured the office corridors to discover two agitated char-ladies

ere prepared to witness his signature for a consideration

He folded the cheque for twenty thousand pounds reverently and put it

into his pocket, and was back again at the Stamford Hotel so quickly

that his companions could not believe their eyes

"Well, this is the ruo I have ever known," said the explosive

man profoundly "You don't think he expects us to call in the