n."

"Have you any idea how the estate is to be divided?"

"I understand the girl gets half. The wife's half will go to her two
sons now."

"That is lucky for them. I reckon Dick Ostrello can use all the money
he can lay hands on. He's a wild one, if ever there was one."

"Don't Tom spend his money?"

"Not lately. I understand he is saving up to marry some girl in New
York."

"Humph."

There was a pause, during which time both men lit cigars.

"How is the bloody business going?" asked Matlock Styles presently.

"Oh, I manage to earn my salary," answered the secret service man, with
a dry laugh. "I don't get promoted though."

"You ought to try to unearth some big mystery. That would get your
name in the papers."

"I don't want my name in the papers. I am doing well enough. Ain't I
on the track of those counterfeits? What more do you want?"

"Yes, but you haven't got them yet, blast the luck! And you say you
had the safe open?"

"I did."

"Then why didn't you look inside? I should have done so."

"I thought I'd get a better chance later on. But when I went back hang
me if I could work the combination again."

"Have the safe makers opened the safe yet?"

"I think so, but if the counterfeits were found the local authorities
haven't said a word. Somebody must be laying low."

There was another pause, and then Matlock Styles brought some papers
from his pocket.

"You might glance over these bloody things while you have time," he
observed. "Perhaps they'll give you a clue to work on. You see, I
believe in helping a detective all I can," and he chuckled broadly.

As Adam Adams could see, the documents were of legal aspect and with
them were several letters.

"Then the deal goes through," said John Watkins.

"Doesn't that look like it?"

"And the patent is yours?"

"Yes."

"I wonder what Barry Langmore would say to this, if he was alive?"

"He wouldn't like it at all."

"Do you think you can make any money out of the patent?"

"Money? I hope to make a fortune out of it."

"Say, Styles, you're a lucky dog and always were."

"It's because I watch my bloomin' chances," answered the Englishman.
"By the way, were you at the inquest?"

"Sure."

"I didn't see you."

"No, but you spoke to me."

"I did? You're mistaken."

"Don't you remember the farmer who asked you for a chew of terbacker?"

"Was that you?" exclaimed Matlock Styles. "If it was you're improving.
The fir