Page:Cruise of the Jasper B (1916).djvu/239

 of ease and jauntiness by twisting the end of his mustache as he spoke, said to Cleggett:

"A schooner, then, Mr. Cleggett, a schooner! No offense, I hope?"

"None at all," said Cleggett, heartily enough, now that the point had been established. And the tension relaxed on both ships.

"You have lost an oblong box, Mr. Cleggett." The great detective affirmed it rather than interrogated.

"How did you know that?"

The other laughed. "We know a great many things—it is our business to know things," he said. Then he dropped his voice to a whisper, and said rapidly, "Mr. Cleggett, do you know who I am?" Before Cleggett could reply he continued, "Brace yourself—do not make an outcry when I tell you who I am. I am Wilton Barnstable."

"I knew you," said Cleggett. The other appeared disappointed for a moment. And then he inquired anxiously, "How did you know me?"

"Why, from your pictures in the magazines," said Cleggett.

The detective brightened perceptibly. "Ah, yes—the magazines! Yes, yes, indeed! publicity is un-