But it began to look as if the whole mystery after all was nothing but a well- staged decoy, using me for bait.

Not even tadpoles enjoy being used for live-bait without being consulted first.

I began to spear about for remedies.
"If you're an honest man," I said, "you'd better simply deny all connection with the raid." "Hah ?" He shrugged his shoulders.

He did not look like an honest man.
He wasn't one.

He knew it.