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 the reward you mentioned. I don't want to give away what I know for nothing! If I tell what I can tell, I expect to be paid!"

"You need have no fear on that point," answered Nottidge hastily. "Look here—this gentleman—you may as well know it—is a famous detective, Mr. Wedgwood! He'll assure you that you can depend on me for your money."

"If the information given leads to the young lady being found," said Wedgwood. "Mr. Nottidge doesn't know yet what your information amounts to."

"Let's hear what it is," said Nottidge. He looked about him, up and down the street. "We can't stand here, out in the cold," he went on. "I noticed a better sort of saloon bar down there at the corner—let's go in there and talk. You've no objection, I suppose?" he continued, turning to the young woman. "Quite respectable, I assure you!"

The young woman replied that she had no objection to anything, as long as it was proper, and she allowed herself to be escorted into a quiet corner of a saloon lounge and to accept a glass of port, a sip or two at which loosened her tongue.

"I'd better tell you all about it," she began in a confidential whisper. "My name—which