There were two callers who took an hour of the detective's time, and then he prepared to return to Sidham, to learn if possible more concerning Tom Ostrello, and if anybody besides Cephas Carboy had seen him around that vicinity on the morning of the tragedy.
"Letty, I may not be back to-night," he remarked, as he came out into the general office. "And it may be that I'll not be back to-morrow."
"All right, Uncle Adam. What shall I tell Mr. Capes?"
"Tell him that that bond matter must wait. He'll have to get those numbers if he possibly can. The other record was destroyed."
As Adam Adams spoke he drew closer to the desk at which his assistant was sitting. He glanced down at an envelope lying there, and started slightly.
"Where did this come from, Letty?" he questioned. The envelope was postmarked New York and the upper left-hand corner bore the notice:
Return in 10 days to
Alexander & Company,
Wholesale Druggists,
22-32 Wadley Street,
Rochester, N. Y.
The girl glanced at the envelope and then at her employer and blushed deeply.
"Oh, why that—that is a note from a friend of mine."
"A gentleman friend, I suppose."