“No names!” cautioned the other quickly.
“All right,” answered Mr. Cutler with a laugh. “I understand. Good-by.”
Tom knew that the conversation was finished, and that he could give the waiting lady the junior partner on the wire. But he hesitated a moment before pulling out the plugs, and readjusting them.
“I’ve heard that man’s voice before,” he mused. “I know it well. Who can it be?”
Then there came over the wire the voice of the man in question. It seemed that he had forgotten something, though Mr. Cutler was busy talking to the lady.
“Hello! Hello!” he called. “I say! I forgot something. Wait a moment, Mr. Cutler!”
“Mr. Cutler is busy on another wire,” replied Tom. “If you wait I can get him back for you?”
“Who is this speaking?” asked the man’s voice, and there seemed to be a note of fear in it.
“This is the private exchange operator.”
“I know that, but who are you? What’s your name?”