But Mr.Hamlin was also a man of the world, and knew that Van Loo's reasoning might be good.

He put his hands in his pockets, and said gravely, "What IS your little game ?" Van Loo had been seized with another inspiration of desperation.

Steptoe had been partly responsible for this situation.

Van Loo knew that Jack and Steptoe were not friends.

He had certain secrets of Steptoe's that might be of importance to Jack.