fist on the desk to emphasize his remark. "I've got every faith in that
remarkable man and boy. They are the most skillful detectives in the
profession. There's nothing they can't do in their own line, and you'll
find it out soon."

"On police and criminal cases--"

"On _any_ work!" roared the Collector, excitedly.

"They must be marvels, indeed!" sneered Gibson.

"So they are, sir--so they are."

"I'd like to see these wonders!"

Just then two men in uniform standing apart from the rest, advanced.

They wore the costume of boarding officers, the dark-blue uniforms being
garnished with brass buttons and on their heads were caps with bands across
the front bearing the word in gilt letters, "Inspector."

One of these men was tall and muscular, with a bushy black beard, deep gray
eyes and a heavy mass of dark-brown hair.

His companion looked like a mere boy, with a handsome face, a pair of keen
eyes and a dashing, aggressive air that showed he was of a bold, intrepid
character. He walked right up to the inspector.

"So you want to see the Bradys, do you?" he asked Gibson, quietly.