"
"The deuce you say!" cried Barnes, staring.
"We will get right down to tacks," said Sprouse. "My government,--
which isn't yours, by the way,--sent me up here five weeks ago on a
certain undertaking. I am supposed to find out what is hatching up at
Green Fancy. Having satisfied myself that you are not connected with
the gang up there, I cheerfully place myself in your hands, Mr.
Barnes. Just a moment, please. Bring me my usual breakfast, Miss
Tilly." The waitress having vanished in the direction of the kitchen,
he resumed. "You were at Green Fancy last night. So was I. You had an
advantage over me, however, for you were on the inside and I was not."
"Confound your impudence! I--"
"One of my purposes in revealing myself to you, Mr. Barnes, is to warn
you to steer clear of that crowd. You may find yourself in exceedingly
hot water later on if you don't. Another purpose, and the real one, is
to secure, if possible, your co-operation in beating the game up
there. You can help me, and in helping me you may be instrumental in
righting one of the gravest wrongs the world has ever known. Of
course, I am advising you in one breath to avoid the crowd up there
and in the next I ask you to do nothing of the kind.
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