I'd bet a year's salary on it." "Another good man gone wrong, then," said Jimmie Dale capriciously.

"I suppose, though, that at least you discovered the 'woman in the case' ?" Carruthers looked up quickly, a little startled; then laughed shortly.
"What's the matter ?" inquired Jimmie Dale.
"Nothing," said Carruthers.

"You kind of got me for a moment, that's all.

That's the way those infernal notes from the Gray Seal used to end up: 'Find the lady, old chap; and you'll get me.' He had a damned patronising familiarity that would make you squirm." "Poor old Carruthers!" grinned Jimmie Dale.

"You did take it to heart, didn't you ?" "I'd have sold my soul to get him--and so would you, if you had been in my boots," said Carruthers, biting nervously at the end of his cigar.
"And been sorry for it afterward," supplied Jimmie Dale.
"Yes, by Jove, you're right!" admitted Carruthers, "I suppose I should.
I actually got to love the fellow--it was the GAME, really, that I wanted to beat." "Well, and how about this woman?
Keep on the straight and narrow path, old man," prodded Jimmie Dale.
"The woman ?" Carruthers smiled.