Why was I picked out for the dirty work ?" It required all of Fernand's long habits of self control to keep him from gasping.

He managed to look Ronicky Doone fairly in the eyes.

What did the youngster know?
What had he guessed?
"Suppose I get down to cases and name names?
The gent that talked to you about me was John Mark.

Am I right ?" asked Ronicky.
"Sir," said Fernand, thinking that the world was tumbling about his ears, "what infernal--" "I'm right," said Ronicky.

"I can tell when I've hurt a gent by the way his face wrinkles up.