"
"My game is straight enough."
"What are you getting at?"
"I've some valuable information for the Government."
"Why don't you take it to the collector of the port?"
"No, no; I did once, and all I got was thanks and those are
all right in their place, but they don't pay me."
"What is it you are getting at?"
"I want to get paid for my information."
The detective laughed and said:
"I ain't paying anything for my information."
"That's all right, but you can put me on the right track to
get paid, and I'll pay you."
"How can I help you?"
"I want to lay in with one of the Government detectives. I'm
told those fellows have a chance at a secret service fund, and
can give a man money where the collector can't do it."
"That's so."
"And I want to get in with one of the Government detectives."
"That is easy enough, you don't need any help for that, my
man."
The little game was opening up fast.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The man drew closer to the detective, and said:
"You don't understand how the thing works."
"You want to see one of the detectives?"
"Yes."
"Well, it's easy enough; go to any of the deputy collectors or
any of the inspectors, and they will give you the names of
several."
"That's neither here nor there; do you want to make a few
dollars?"
"Yes."
"All right, I'm going to give you a chance."
"Go ahead."
"I want to see one particular officer."
"Which particular officer?"
"Vance."
"You want to see Vance?"
"Yes.
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