without system," he sometimes told
young officers when they joined the staff of the C.I.D. There were
things, of course, that could not be put in writing, but Foyle never
invited his subordinates to act against the law. Such things have to be
done at a man's own discretion without official sanction.

It was less than an hour when the chief inspector returned, portentously
grave.

"Well?" demanded Foyle.

"The real goods," said Green, who was obviously feeling pleased with
himself. "Your long shot has come off. They're falling short of money,
for they've put Red Ike up to break into Grell's house and steal all the
stuff in sight. Ike has asked Fred to give him a hand."

A low whistle came from Foyle's lips. Why hadn't he thought of this?
Discreetly done, with the help of a confederate--and apparently Grell
had no lack of confederates--it would get over the money difficulty
quite simply.

"Sit down, Green. Let's hear all about it," he said, diving into his
pocket for the inevitable cigar.

"It's all fixed up. Ike walks into the place with Grell's keys at eight
o'clock to-night, while Freddy keeps watch outside----"

"And some one keeps an eye on Freddy, if I'm any judge. Go on. Who put
Ike up to it?"

"He won't say. He's as tight as a drum about all that, according to
Freddy. When we arrest him we must get something out of him."

"I don't know," said Foyle slowly. "Ike's a queer bird. Dutch Fred will
need to look after himself if ever he knows who gave the game away. Well
now, let's fix up things. Is any one keeping an eye on the place for
Ike?"

"Freddy's supposed to be there."

"And I guess that they've found out that Lomont and Wills will be out of
the house to-night. You might find out for sure, Green. 'Phone Lomont,
but don't stop 'em if they've made arrangements. It would simplify
matters if we could get one or two of our own men in the house. We
daren't do that, though."

"Why not? If Freddy's keeping watch----"

"That's all right. It isn't Freddy I'm afraid of. There'll be some one
else there. The people who put this game up are not going to trust a
couple of crooks entirely. I think I'll take a stroll out that way
myself about seven o'clock. We'd better have the place surrounded. I'll
send for a section map of that part."

A clerk brought the map, and Foyle's fingers described a wide, irregular
circle, now and again halting at one spot where he wished a man to be
placed.

"That ought to do,"