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 contract. I told Griesheimer exactly what I've just told you and all he did was to add a few figures to his original offer.

Philip Lawrence laughed loudly.

Say bo, he cried, you know your groceries. That's just the technique that captures these gorillas, but do you mean to tell me you're on the level?

Never more so. I haven't an idea for a film story in my head.

Now Lawrence actually howled. I've got to hand it to you, he said at last. You've beat these crooks at their own game.

Ambrose was feeling entirely at home: Phil Lawrence was almost Jack Story.

How? he inquired.

Why, the old man is so used to goofer authors greasing themselves without swimming the channel that you must have driven him wild. You see he thought you had a Ming vase that you were pretending came out of Vantine's basement. But what I'd like to know is how he ever got hold of you at all, how you happened to come out here.

It's a long story.

I'll loan you the use of the hall.

It was both a pain and a relief for Ambrose to outline his adventures from the time he had boarded the