York, away from the Flagg interests, until the Comas folks could have
their way. No doubt Craig would consider that the extra service was an
acceptable bonus, over and above what the agency had done.

"I'll tell you." Mern was affable. "Miss Jones is away on another case.
She is likely to report 'most any time. The best way for you is to drop
in each day, say around three o'clock in the afternoon. I think she will
be glad to explain anything you're now puzzled about. You still think,
do you, you'd better not tell me?" The chief's curiosity, his desire to
dig into the doings of his operatives, urged him to solicit Latisan
again. "My advice----"

"I don't want it. I don't take any stock in a man who does the kind of
work you're up to," declared Latisan, bluntly. "I don't take much stock
in anybody, any more. I may be a fool for wanting to see that young lady
again--but I'll call in to-morrow."

"About three!" Mern reminded him, having an object in setting that hour.

Latisan nodded and went away.

The chief called the Comas corporation offices and got Director Craig on
the telephone. When Mern announced his identity, Craig evidently
supposed that it was a matter of a dun and broke in, chuckling: "I'll
bring the check in to-morrow. I'd have done so, anyway, for I plan to
start north right away. What's the matter, Mern? Grabbing for the coin
because you are afraid the job isn't going to stay put?"

"That isn't the idea at all. I simply want to show you something which
will prove that the money has been well earned. I'll show you Latisan."

"I don't care to meet that gentleman right now. Oh no!"

"I'll plant you where you won't be seen. You can view Exhibit A. I think
I'll be able to promise that Latisan is going to stay here in New York.
That ought to make you feel safer when you go back north into the
jungle. No tiger behind a tree!"

"Say, I'll hand you that check like daddy giving a stick of candy to the
baby!" said Craig with hearty emphasis. "I'll own up that I have been
killing time here in the city, waiting to get a line on Latisan--where
he is. I have found that he's a lunatic when he's ugly--and there's no
telling how far a grudge will drive a man in the big woods. So he's here
in town?"

"Yes, and I'm rigging hopples to keep him here, I tell you. Come in at
two forty-five. See the tame tiger!"

Then Mern called in Crowley, who was very ill at ease, but was
obstinately and manifestly at bay. "Let's see.