“And perhaps been robbed for years past. There is an accomplice here, I tell you, of some party of rascals outside. Have you had your books looked over to learn if there have been former robberies of this kind?”
“No, but I will,” was the energetic answer.
“We have been able, so far, to get no trace of the custom-house robbers. The only description to be had of them might apply to fifty persons we meet every day. They are not professionals; that I am sure of. These are outside hands, but very keen ones.”
“And the forged check?”
“Was presented by the same person,” replied the officer. “The bank teller has no recollection of the party, but the handwriting in the check and in the warehouse entry are the same.”
“It is strange—very strange,” said Mr. Leonard, abstractedly, as he selected several invoices from a pile of them he had taken from his safe.
“I am going to try the suggestion you just made,” he said, proceeding to the door.
“Harry!” he called, into the counting-room.
One of the clerks responded, coming into the room.
“I wish you to take these invoices,” said the merchant, “and compare them with the sales of these special goods. They are the first we have had of these styles, and the salesbook should show whether they have all been disposed of or not.”