o throw coin about
recklessly. I shall want value."

Carver laughed. Triffitt's sudden caution amused him.

"I reckon people have to buy pigs in pokes in dealing with this sort of
thing, Triff," he said. "But whether the chap's information's good for
much or not, I'm certain it's genuine. Well, come round here again at
six-thirty."

Triffitt, banknotes in pocket, went round again at six-thirty, and was
duly conducted Oxford Street way by Carver, who eventually led him into
a network of small streets, in which the mews and the stable appeared to
be conspicuous features, and to the bar-parlour of a somewhat dingy
tavern, at that hour little frequented. And at precisely seven o'clock
the door of the parlour opened and a face showed itself, recognized
Carver, and grinned. Carver beckoned the face into a corner, and having
formally introduced his friend Triffitt, suggested liquid refreshment.
The face assented cordially, and having obscured itself for a moment
behind a pint pot, heaved a sigh of gratification, and seemed desirous
of entering upon business.

"But it ain't, of course, to go no further--at present," said the owner
of the face. "Not into no newspapers nor nothing, _at_ present. I don't
mind telling you young gents, if it's made worth my while, of course,
but as things is, I don't want the old gent in Portman Square to know as
how I've let on--d'ye see? Of course, I ain't seen nothing of him never
since I called there, and he gave me a couple o' quid, and told me to
expect more--only the more's a long time o' coming, and if I do see my
way to turning a honest penny by what I knows, why, then, d'ye see----"

"I see, very well," assented Triffitt. "And what might your idea of an
honest penny be, now?"

The taxi-cab driver silently regarded his questioner. He had already had
a five-pound note out of Carver, who carried a small fund about him in
case of emergency; he was speculating on his chances of materially
increasing this, and his eyes grew greedy.

"Well, now, guv'nor, what's your own notion of that?" he asked at last.
"I'm a poor chap, you know, and I don't often get a chance o' making a
bit in this way. What's it worth--what I can tell, you know--to you?
This here young gentleman was keen enough about it this afternoon,
guv'nor."

"Depends," answered Triffitt. "You'd better answer a question or two.
First--you haven't told the old gentleman in Portman Square--Mr.
Tertius--any more than what you told