He lit another cigarette and thought for a moment. Then he looked at Callaghan with his usual cheerful smile.
'I want your help, Slim,' he said. 'Just any ideas you've got on this job. I know that you've got some connection with the Meraulton family because you'll admit that I'm entitled to believe that Cynthis Meraulton didn't come round to your place to ask you what the time was, did she? And I don't expect you to help me for nothing at all.
'Look here, Slim, possibly you've heard that there's some talk about having a registration for private detective agencies in this country— more or less on the American system— licences, and all that sort of stuff. Well, if it comes in there'll be two or three people up here will move heaven and earth to stop you getting on that register. If you giv
