than he had ever hoped to be; but he was still on Tom Tiddler's ground, and meant to make the most of it.     

       "Of course, I don't know your methods on this side, but anything that's usual—"     

       "I'll see you at my office. Spike Mullins will show you where it is."     

       "Very well. You must forgive this preliminary informal call. We came in more to shelter from the rain than anything."     

       "You did, did you?"     

       Jimmy felt that it behooved him to stand on his dignity. The situation demanded it.     

       "Why," he said with some hauteur, "in the ordinary course of business I should hardly waste time over a small crib like—"     

       "It's banks fer his," murmured Spike, rapturously. "He eats dem alive. An'       jools from duchesses."     

       "I admit a partiality for jewels and duchesses," said Jimmy. "And, now, as it's a little late, perhaps we had better—Ready, Spike? Good-night, then. Pleased to have met you."     

       "I'll see you at my office."     

       "I may possibly look in. I shall be doing very little work in New York, I fancy. I am here merely on a vacation."     

       "If you do any work at all," said the policeman coldly, "you'll look in at my office, or you'll wish you had when it's too late."     

       "Of course, of course. I shouldn't dream of omitting any formality that may be usual. But I don't fancy I shall break my vacation. By the way, one little thing. Have you any objections to my carving a J on your front-door?"     

       The policeman stared.     

       "On the inside. It won't show. It's just a whim of mine. If you have no objection?"     

       "I don't want any of your—" began the policeman.     

       "You misunderstand me. It's only that it means paying for a dinner. I wouldn't for the world—"     

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