Page:O'Higgins--The Adventures of Detective Barney.djvu/213

 what line to work on. I can get you by telephone?”

“What sort of preliminary investigation?”

“The usual sort. It seems evident that this is a family affair, in no way connected with your business. And my first plan—of putting an operative in your office—will have to be given up.” Babbing rose. “I ’ll let you hear from me in a day or two.”

Harper came to his feet reluctantly. “What are you going to do?”

Babbing looked at him with a benign smile. “I have n’t the least idea.”

“But I want you to put men with me, at once—for protection.”

“You look as if you could take pretty good care of yourself. Where did you get those shoulders? College athletics?”

“Yes—I don’t mean that sort of protection. If they have detectives—”

“My dear sir—” Babbing held out his hand—“if there are detectives following you, they ’ll know that you ’re in this office now,