Garry stepped forward and said that was his name.
“My name is Simmons, and I’m from the postoffice department.”
Here was the expected inspector, and the boys crowded forward to shake hands with him. Garry acted as master of ceremonies, and introduced all the party to Simmons.
“We’re whiling away a few minutes taking pictures. Won’t you step in and we’ll have a complete group; a regular illustration for ‘The Mystery of the Threatening Letters,’” said Dick with a laugh.
Simmons appeared to hesitate for a moment, and then with a smile stepped in beside Aunt Abbie and in another minute the picture was snapped.
The boys neglected to mention the fact that they had taken pictures of the letters—not meaning to conceal anything—but they were eager to have Simmons go with them to the postoffice where they could begin work on the mystery.
Simmons went into the house to question Mr. Everett, and while he was talking, Dick removed the letters from the board and gave them to Ruth to carry to Simmons. They followed in a few moments, as soon as Dick had taken out the film, which had been exhausted, and substituted a new one for more snaps.
“I’ll take charge of these letters,” said Simmons. “I don’t know that you boys can be of a great deal of help. In fact I am of the opinion that the less you are seen in connection with the case, the better. Now I’m going to be perfectly frank with you. I don’t see why boys were sent to mix in this case at all. It would have been far better to have me here alone, where I could work with some of the necessary secrecy that the case demands. Which reminds me, also, that no one here is to tell anybody what my business is.”
This had been delivered in a rather snappy tone, and the boys were somewhat hurt at the attitude taken by the inspector.
“Now get us right on this matter, please, Mr. Simmons. You won’t find us making any silly suggestions to you how to do your work, and as for our being here, boys or not, we came simply on the orders of our superior. We are in the service of the State of Maine, and as such are bound to obey orders, whatever duty may be assigned to us. We were fortunate enough to give some slight assistance on the other matters here, and it is probably for that reason that the Chief Ranger had us come here.”