"I've got a tip that's better than the last one," he said. "Muggs gave it to me."
"Muggs?"
"Don't ask me to explain now. Hurry up here. And have the telephone people investigate that number I gave you, and report to you here about it."
Then Verbeck called the chief of police, finally locating him at his home.
"Chief, there's no use keeping up the bluff any longer," he said. "The Black Star knows very well that I am still after him. I wish you'd get over to my apartment as soon as you can. I've got something important to tell you. Kowen will be here"
"Why did you call Kowen?" the chief demanded. "Couldn't we handle it alone? I understand Kowen won enough glory to-night to last him a month."
"Come over, and do your quarreling here!" Verbeck said.
Kowen was the first to arrive, fifteen minutes later.
"What's the big tip?" he asked. "Anything to it?"
"Wait until the chief gets here."
"Did you send for the chief? Was that necessary, Verbeck? It seems to me that we worked pretty well together this evening. Why give the police some of the credit? I lost the Black Star, remember, and I ought to have a chance to get him back!"
"There'll be work enough for all of us—and glory enough," Verbeck assured him.
Then the chief came storming in and exchanged glares with the sheriff.
"Before we begin, it might be well to have an
