that were by turns solemn, tender, severe, and pathetic; “faultily faultless” features, that wore an habitual look of gravity and meditation; an erect, graceful carriage, and a demeanor dignified and somewhat reserved. Slow of speech and punctillious in the use of words, he was a man of tact and discretion; a man fitted to lead, and capable of ruling in stormy times. At first sight, people pronounced him “a handsome fellow;” after long acquaintance, they named him “a perfect gentleman.”
His companion was not quite so tall, of medium height, in fact, but muscular and well built. He walked with a springy, careless stride, carrying his head erect, and keeping his observant, twinkling, laughing brown eyes constantly employed noting everything around and about him, but noting all with an expression of careless unconcern that seemed to say, “all this is nothing to me, why should it be?” His hair, brown, soft, and silky, was cropped close to his head, displaying thus a well developed crown, and brow broad, high and full. The nose was too prominent for beauty, but the mouth and chin were magnificent features, of which a physiognomist would say: Here are courage and tenderness, firmness and loyalty. He was easy of manner – “off-hand,” would better express it; careless, and sometimes brusque in speech. At first sight one would call him decidedly plain; after a time spent in his society you voted him “a good looking fellow,” and “a queer fish.” And those who had thoroughly tested the quality of his friendship, vowed him a man to trust and to “tie to.”
“Here they come,” whispered No. 46; “those two fellows in grey.”
“Which is which?”
“To be sure. The taller is Van Vernet; the other Dick Stanhope.”
As they approached, Van Vernet touched his hat with a glance of courteous recognition. But Richard Stanhope merely nodded, with a careless, “how are you, Charlie?” And neither noted the eager, scrutinizing glance bent upon them, as they passed the grey-bearded stranger and ran lightly up the stairs. “You’re wanted in the Chief’s office, Mr. Vernet,” said the office boy as they entered; “And you too, I think, Mr. Stanhope.”
“Not both at once, stupid?”
“Um, ah; of course not. Now look here, Mr. Dick – ”
And Stanhope and the office boy promptly fell into pugilistic attitudes, the former saying, with a gay laugh:
“You first, Van, if the old man won’t let us ‘hunt in couples.’”
With the shadow of a smile upon his face, Van Vernet turned his back upon the two belligerents and entered the inner office.
“Ah, Vernet, good morning,” said his affable chieftain. “Are you ready for a bit of business?”
“Certainly, sir.”
“I don’t think it will be anything very deep, but the young fellow insisted upon having one of my best men; one who could be courteous, discreet, and a gentleman.”
Van Vernet, who had remained standing, hat in hand, before his chief, bowed deferentially, and continued silent.
“There are no instructions,” continued the Chief. “You are to go to this address – it’s a very aristocratic locality – and act under the gentleman’s orders. He wants to deal with you direct; the case is more delicate than difficult, I fancy. I am only interested in the success or failure of your work.”
Taking the card from his outstretched hand, Vernet read the address.
“A. Warburton.
No. 31 B – Place.”
“When shall I wait upon Mr. Warburton?”
“At once. Your entire time is at his disposal until the case is finished; then report to me.”
Vernet bowed again, turned to go, hesitated, turned back, and said:
“And the Raid?”
“Oh, that – I shall give Stanhope charge of that affair. Of course he would like your assistance, but he knows the ground, and I think will make the haul. However, if you are not occupied to-morrow night, you might join them here.”
“Thank you. I will do so if possible,” turning again to go.
“Send Stanhope in, Vernet. I must settle this business about the Raid.”
Opening the door softly, and closing it gently after him, Vernet approached his comrade, and laid a light hand upon his arm.
“Richard, you are wanted.”
“All right; are you off, Van?”
“Yes;” putting his hat upon his head.
“On a lay?”
“Yes.”
“Wish you good luck, old man; tra la.”
And Dick Stanhope bounced into the presence of his Chief with considerable noise and scant ceremony.
Number 46, who, with the stranger beside him, was slowly pacing his beat, lifted his eyes as Vernet emerged from the stairway.
“There comes Vernet, and alone. I’ll bet something he’s off on a case,” he said.
“Looks like it.”
“He looks more serious than usual; wonder if he’s got to work it without Stanhope.”
“Do they always pull together?”
“Not always; but they’ve done their biggest work together. When there’s a very knotty case, it’s given to Vernet and Stanhope; and they seldom fail.”
“Which acts as leader and is the best man of the two?”
“Well, sir, that’s a conundrum that no man can guess, not even the Chief. And I don’t believe any body ever will know, unless they fall out, and set up an opposition to each other. As for who leads, they both pull together; there’s no leader. I tell you what I don’t want to see two such splendid fellows fall out; they’ve worked in double harness a good while. But if the Chief up there wants to see what detectives can do, let him put those two fellows on opposite sides of a case; then he’d see a war of wits that would beat horse-racing.”
“Um!” said the stranger, consulting an English repeater, “it’s time for me to move on. Is this your regular beat, my friend? Ah! then we may meet again. Good morning, sir.”
“That’s a queer jockey,” muttered No. 46. “When he first came up, I made sure he was looking for the Agency – looking just for curiosity, I reckon.”
And the stranger, as he strolled down the street, communed thus with himself:
“So these two star detectives have never been rivals yet. The Chief has never been anxious to see what detectives can do, I suppose. This looks like my opportunity. Messrs. Vernet and Stanhope, you shall have a chance to try your skill against each other, and upon a desperate case: and the wit that wins need never work another.”
CHAPTER II.
ODDLY EMPLOYED
While the stranger was thus communing with himself, and while Van Vernet was
