“Thank you,” Tavernake answered, “I don’t think I care about hearing gossip.  Besides, I think I know all there is to be known about him.”

“Did you give Miss Beatrice my message?” Pritchard asked suddenly.

“If I did,” Tavernake replied, “I have no answer for you.”

“Will you tell her this,” Pritchard began,—­

“No, I will tell her nothing!” Tavernake interrupted.  “You can look after your own affairs.  I have no interest in them and I don’t want to have.  Good-night!”

Pritchard laughed again but he did not relax his grasp upon the other’s arm.

“Now, Mr. Tavernake,” he said, “it won’t do for you to quarrel with me.  I shouldn’t be surprised if you discovered that I am one of the most useful acquaintances you ever met in your life.  You needn’t come into the club unless you like, but walk as far as there with me.  When we get on to the Terrace, with closed houses on one side and a palisade upon the other, I am going to say something to you.”

“Very well,” Tavernake decided, reluctantly.  “I don’t know what there is you can have to tell me, but I’ll come as far as there, at any rate.”

They crossed the Strand and turned into Adam Street.  As they neared the further corner, Pritchard stepped from the pavement into the middle of the street, and looked searchingly around.

“Say, you’ll excuse my being a little careful,” he remarked.  “This is rather a lonely part for the middle of London, and I have been followed for the last two days by people whose company I am not over keen about.”

“Followed?  What for?” Tavernake demanded.

“Oh, the usual thing!” answered the detective, with a shrug of the shoulders.  “That company of crooks I showed you last night don’t fancy having me around.  They’ve a good many grudges up against Sam Pritchard.  I am not quite so safe over here as I should be in New York.  Most of them are off to Paris tomorrow, thank Heavens!”

“And you?” Tavernake asked.  “Are you going, too?”

Pritchard shook his head.

“If only those fools would believe it, I’m not over here on their business at all.  I came over on a special commission this time, as you know.  I have a word of warning for you, Mr. Tavernake.  I guess you won’t like to hear it, but you’ve got to.”

Tavernake stopped short.

“I don’t want your warnings!” he said angrily.  “I don’t want you interfering in my affairs!”

The detective smiled quietly.  Then a new expression suddenly tightened his lips.

“Never mind about that just now!” he exclaimed.  “See here, take this police whistle from my left hand, quick, and blow it for all that you are worth!”