The philosopher arrived half-an-hour later, having been aroused from his sleep to learn that his presence was required at Headquarters.
“Mr. Elk will tell you something which will be public property in a day or two,” said Gordon. “Balder has been arrested in connection with the explosion which occurred in Mr. Elk’s office.”
It was necessary to explain to Johnson exactly who Balder was, and Dick went on to tell him of the old man’s visit to Slough. Johnson shook his head.
“I didn’t know that Maitland had a friend of that name,” he said. “Balder? What other name had he?”
“He called himself Collett-Banson,” said Dick, and a look of understanding came to the face of Johnson.
“I know that name very well. Mr. Banson used frequently to call at the office, generally late in the evenings—Maitland spends three nights a week working after the clerks have gone, as I know to my cost,” he said. “A rather tall, good-looking fellow of about forty?”
“Yes, that is the man.”
“He has a house near Windsor. I have never been there, but I know because I have posted letters to him.”
“What sort of business did Collett-Banson have with Maitland?”
“I’ve never been able to discover. I always thought of him as a man who had property to sell, for that was the only type of outsider who was ever admitted to Maitland’s presence. I remember that he had the child staying with him for about a week——”