He, of
course, preferred to meet the detective in a way that the latter little
suspected.
Keene sauntered into the card room, after partaking of a cigar.
While here watching the players, a hand touched his arm.
"Be you lookin' for somebody, mister?"
Keene looked into a dark, repulsive face, and at once recognized the man
who had been described as the tramp, Perry Jounce.
"Yes," returned the detective.
"Who mout it be?"
Bending to the man's ear, Keene whispered the name of Barkswell.
"Loud o' liberty!" exclaimed Jounce, "I was expectin' him, too."
"When did you meet him last?"
"'Bout this time last night."
"Exactly; on a vacant lot--?"
"Eh?"
The tramp started and evinced alarm.
"Don't worry, old fellow," uttered the detective in a low voice. "I know
all about it, my friend. You were to meet a gentleman here by
appointment?"
"Yes."
"I am the man."
"You?" incredulously.
"Yes. Mr. Barkswell couldn't come, and so he sent me to take his place. I
would like mighty well to see you in private for a few minutes."
"I kin fix that.
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