Collins was not without a great deal of political influence, and
even a first deputy may be "broke" by a man with influence. But
now here was Kennedy, and he wished to appear in the best light.

He looked at Craig. "Let me introduce Professor Kennedy," he said.
"I've already called him in."

"Very happy to have the pleasure of meeting you," said Collins,
grasping Kennedy's hand warmly. "I hope you will take me as your
client in this case. I'll pay handsomely. I've always had a great
admiration for your work, and I've heard a great deal about it."

Kennedy is, if anything, as impervious to blandishment as a stone,
as the Blarney Stone is itself, for instance. "On one condition,"
he replied slowly, "and that is that I go ahead exactly as if I
were employed by the city itself to get at the truth."

Collins bit his lip. It was evident that he was not accustomed to
being met in this independent spirit. "Very well," he answered at
last. "O'Connor has called you in. Work for him and--well, you
know, if you need anything just draw on me for it. Only if you
can, keep me out of it. I'll tell everything I can to help you--
but not to the newspapers."

He beckoned us outside. "Those people in there," he nodded his
head back in the direction of the Millefleurs, "do you suspect
them? By George, it does look badly for them, doesn't it, when you
come to think of it? Well, now, you see, I'm frank and
confidential about my relations with Blan--er--Miss Blaisdell. I
was at a big dinner with her last night with a party of friends. I