There was a bit of mystery to it which had fascination, because of a vague promise of adventure.
Evidently this man Neale had need of a stranger to help him out in some scheme, and had picked me by chance as being the right party.

Well, if the pay was good, and the purpose not criminal, I had no objections to the spice of danger.

Indeed, that was what I loved in life, my heart throbbing eagerly in anticipation.

I was young, full-blooded, strong, willing enough to take desperate chances for sufficient reward.

There was a suspicion in my mind that all was not straight--Neale's questions, and the private signals to be given at a side door left that impression--yet I could only wait and learn, and besides, my conscience was not overly delicate.