Mr. Balder sniffed.
“There’s no fear of that, anyway,” he said sourly. “I’ve got myself in their bad books. And I did think there was a chance for me—it all comes of your putting me in with Hagn.”
“You’re an ungrateful devil,” said Elk.
“Who’s this Number Seven, sir?” asked Balder. “Thinking the matter over, and having discussed it with my wife, I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s one of the most important Frogs, and if we could only get him, we’d be a long way towards catching the big fellow.”
Elk put down his pen—he was writing his report at the time—and favoured his subordinate with a patient and weary smile.
“You ought to have gone into politics,” he said, and waved his subordinate from the room with the end of his penholder.
He had finished his report and was reading it over with a critical eye, when the service ’phone announced a visitor.
“Send him up,” said Elk when he had heard the name. He rang his bell for Balder. “This report goes to Captain Gordon to initial,” he said, and as he put down the envelope, Joshua Broad stood in the doorway.
“Good morning, Mr. Elk.” He nodded to Balder, although he had never met him. “Good morning,” he said.
“Good morning,” said Elk. “Come right in and sit down, Mr. Broad. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?—excuse my politeness, but in the early morning I’m that way. All right, Balder, you can go.”