“Which particular officer?”

“Vance.”

“You want to see Vance?”

“Yes.”

“Go and tell the collector.”

“That won’t do.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve been sold once, and this time I’m going to work my racket differently; do you know Vance by, sight?”

“Do you mean Spencer Vance?”

“Yes.”

“I know him, and I’ll introduce you to him if you want me to do so.”

“I do not want you to introduce me.”

“What do you want?”

“I want you to point him out to me.”

“I haven’t time to run around to point him out to you.”

“I can make it worth your while.”

“For how much?”

“Fifty dollars.”

“I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

“I can’t explain, but I’ll give you fifty dollars to point that man out to me.”

“You will give me fifty dollars?”

“Yes.”

“I can earn that fifty dollars easy.”

“I don’t care how easy you earn it.”

“But I don’t understand your game.”

“I’ve told you.  I’ve got some valuable information—­some ‘tips’ that Vance will pay big money to ‘nip’; but I want my own way and time of opening up the subject to him, and I mean to make sure that my money is good.”

“Why are you so anxious to deal with Vance?”

“I’ve been told he has got the inside track with the Government, and that he is a square man.”

“That’s the reason you want him?”

“Yes.”

“And you will pay me fifty dollars to point him out to you?”

“I will.”

“Must I wait for my money until you get your rake?”

“No.”

“You will pay me right down?”

“I will pay you the money two minutes after you point the man out to me.”

“Do you want an introduction?”

“No.”

“Come along; I will put you on to him right away.”

The two men started over toward the ferries.

“Will you stand a carriage?” asked the detective.

“What do you want of a carriage?”

“I must get back to go on duty.”

“We don’t want any carriage.”

The man was struck with a shade of suspicion.

“Where are we to go?”

“To Ludlow Street.”

The man started back and turned pale. 
“To Ludlow Street!” he ejaculated.

“Yes.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come with me to Ludlow Street, and I will point out Vance to you.”

“See here, Johnny, you are up to a smart trick, you are.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

“What is it you’re up to, my friend?”

The man looked around.  No one was near.  The detective was studying the rascal’s movements.

The fellow suddenly drew a club; but he was matched.

“Hold on!  What do you mean?” he demanded.