"Last night. They insisted I had to put in an appearance at the office
merely to take away the salary that's heen accumulating for me - said it
cluttered up the place. So I obliged. Do you know how many automobiles
pass this window every twenty-four hours?" Garrigan asked suddenly.

"I do not."

"Neither do I. It would be interesting to know, however. I think I
shall count them, when I have nothing else to do. I understand there is
a checking or tabulating machine made for such purposes. But perhaps I
am keeping you from - "

"You are merely keeping me from ordering another portion of liquid
refreshment," interrupted the colonel with a smile. "Boy!"

And once again there was diffused the aroma of mint and the more
pronounced odor of the Scotch.

"Yes, it's pretty poor fishing," mused the colonel, when Garrigan had
gone off to engage in a game of billiards with some insistent friends,
whose advent the detective was thankful for, as he wanted to be alone.
He was gregarious by nature, but there were times when he had to be
alone, and it was because of this trait in his nature that he had taken
up with the rod and reel, becoming a disciple of Izaak Walton.

Until dusk began to fall, changing the character of the throngs on the
avenue, the colonel lingered in his easy chair before the broad, plate
windows. And then, as the electric lights began to sparkle, as had the
diamonds on some of the over-dressed women in the afternoon, he arose