It was a bitter pill for them to swallow, to have an outsider come in to do the work they found themselves unable to cope with.
Finally Gibson affected a mocking laugh, and said, derisively:
"What can a Secret Service man do in a Custom House case, if we men, educated for it, can't finish a job we find too hard for us?"
"They'll find the smuggler I'm after," replied the Collector, banging his fist on the desk to emphasize his remark. "I've got every faith in that remarkable man and boy. They are the most skillful detectives in the profession. There's nothing they can't do in their own line, and you'll find it out soon."
"On police and criminal cases—"
"On any work!" roared the Collector, excitedly.
"They must be marvels, indeed!" sneered Gibson.
"So they are, sir—so they are."
"I'd like to see these wonders!"
Just then two men in uniform standing apart from the rest, advanced.