Hal listened to this statement with interest. He had often heard of detectives, but had never seen such a personage.
Mr. Sumner continued to walk up and down. Hal watched him, the youth's heart beating rapidly.
The clock hands moved slowly, but at last twelve minutes had passed.
Then two young men entered. They were very ordinary looking individuals, and Hal was somewhat disappointed in their appearance.
"We were sent here by the chief," explained one as he entered. "My name is Harry Parker. This is Ralph Hamington."
"I am glad to see you," replied Mr. Sumner.
"You have been robbed?" questioned Harry Parker, coming at once to the point.
"Yes. A tin box, containing seventy-nine thousand dollars' worth of railroad bonds, has been stolen from that safe."
Both detectives elevated their eyebrows at this statement.
"Was the safe broken open?" continued Parker.