“Is Mr. Wilson at hand?”
“Yes. I will call him.”
Mr. Leonard went to the door of the office and asked for Mr. Wilson. The latter was in the counting-room, and immediately entered.
The keen eyes of the visitor were fixed on him as he came in, taking in at a glance, as it seemed, every detail of his face, form and dress.
“Mr. Wilson, this is Mr. Fitler, a detective officer from the central station,” said the merchant. “I have sent for him to investigate that affair of the robbery.”
“I hope he can help us in it,” said Mr. Wilson, as he quietly seated himself.
“The rascals were wide-awake, Mr. Wilson,” said the detective, “in taking advantage of your trip to Harrisburg. Was the fact that you had paid the duties and could not attend to taking the goods out of bond talked about in the store?”
“It was no secret in the counting-room,” said Mr. Wilson.
“What is your opinion of the book-keepers, sir?”
“I have full confidence in them. They are only men, to be sure, and may have talked outside.”