“I suppose you pick up a little extra money now and then, doing odd jobs around the building?”
“Yes, suh!”
“Old Herm?”
“Ah earned fifty cents from Herm dis last week. De easiest money ah made, too!”
“And what job do you look after for him?” Flash inquired.
Jeff shook his head and grinned. “Ah ain’t ’llowed to tell, suh. Old Herm get in trouble if de boss find out.”
Flash understood the colored boy well enough to know that he would divulge the information if offered a small bribe. But he surmised that Jeff then would reveal to Old Herm who had questioned him. He decided to allow the matter to rest.
“I can guess what Herm has been doing,” he told himself as he slid down from the platform. “And if I’m right, his alibi on the night I lost my arson picture isn’t worth a nickel!”
Debating a moment, Flash entered the Ledger building. After exploring several floors he finally located the watchman in the deserted composing room. Old Herm, who was peering into a supply cupboard, did not see the photographer until he was close by.
Startled, he slammed the cupboard door shut and stood with his back to it, facing Flash.