erstand one another first as last; so, while we were
waiting for you, I slipped him fifty, gave him to understand that my
affectionate cousin had about come to the end of his rope and--won his
heart and confidence. It's a way I have with people; they do seem to
fall for me," he asserted with insufferable self-complacence.

He continued to impart his purchased information to Staff by snatches
all the way from Thirty-fourth Street to the Harlem River.

"He's a decent sort," he said, indicating the operator with a nod;
"apparently, that is; name, Spelvin. Employed by a garage upon the West
Side, in the Seventies. Says Ismay rang 'em up about half-past two last
night, chartered this car and driver, to be kept waiting for him
whenever he called for it.... Coarse work that, for Cousin
Arbuthnot--very, very crude....

"Still, he'd just got home and hadn't had time to make very polished
arrangements.... Seems he told this chap he was to see nothing but the
road, hear nothing but the motor, say nothing whatever to nobody. Gave
him a fifty, too. That habit seems to run in the family....

"He called for the car around five o'clock, with Nelly. Spelvin says she
seemed worn out, hardly conscious of what was going on. They lit out
for--where we're bound: place on the Connecticut shore called Pennymint
Point. On the way Ismay told him to stop at a roadhouse, got out and
brought Nelly a drink. Spelvin says he wouldn't be surprised if it was
doped; she slept all the rest of the way and hardly woke up even when
they helped her aboard the boat."

"Boat!"

"Motor-boat. I infer that Cousin Arbuthnot has established headquarters
on a little two-by-four island in the Sound--Wreck Island. Used to be
run as a one-horse summer resort--hotel and all that. Went under several
years ago, if mem'ry serveth me aright. Anyhow, they loaded Nelly aboard
this motor-boat and took her across....

"Spelvin was told to wait. He did. In about an hour--boat back; native
running it hands Spelvin a note, tells him to run up to Hartford and
post it and be back at seven P.M. Spelvin back at seven; Ismay comes
across by boat, is driven to town....

"That's all, to date. Spelvin had begun to suspect there was something
crooked going on, which made him easy meat for my insidious advances.
Says he was wondering if he hadn't better tell his troubles to a cop.
All of which goes to show that Cousin Artie's fast going to seed. Very
crude operating--man of his repu