The Clarion Call 239
guying you or whether you're being offered the biggest scoop your dull dishrag of a paper ever had ? . . . Well, that's so; it's a bob- tail scoop but you can hardly expect me to 'phone in my name and address. . . . Why? Oh, because I heard you make a specialty of solving mysterious crimes that stump the police. . . . No, that's not all. I want to tell you that your rotten, lying, penny sheet is of no more use in track- ing an intelligent murderer or highwayman than a blind poodle would be. ... What ? . . . Oh, no, this isn't a rival newspaper office; you're getting it straight. I did the Norcross job, and I've got the jewels in my suit case at 'the name of the hotel could not be learned' you recognize that phrase, don't you? I thought so. You've used it often enough. Kind of rattles you, doesn't it, to have the mysterious villain call up your great, big, all-powerful organ of right and jus- tice and good government and tell you what a helpless old gas-bag you are? . . . Cut that out; you're not that big a fool no, you don't think I'm a fraud. I can tell it by your voice. . . . Now, listen, and I'll give you a pointer that will prove it to you, Of
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