“Deposit box A,” replied the millionaire, “contained every particle of information we possess concerning the whereabouts of Milo Redfern.”
“I see!” replied Mellen. “I see exactly why you consider the murder and robbery so critically important at this time.”
“I have not only lost my friend,” Mr. Havens declared, “but it seems to me at this time that I have also lost all chance of bringing Redfern to punishment.”
“I’m sorry,” consoled Mellen.
“I don’t know what to do now,” the millionaire exclaimed. “With the information contained in deposit box A in their possession, the associates of Redfern may easily frustrate any move we may make in Peru.”
“So it seems!” mused Mellen. “But this man Redfern is still a person of considerable importance! Men who have passed out of the range of human activities seldom have power to compel the murder of an enemy many hundreds of miles away.”
“I have always believed,” Mr. Havens continued, “that the money embezzled by Redfern was largely used in building up an institution which seeks to rival the Invincible Trust Company.”
“In that case,” the manager declared, “the whole power and influence of this alleged rival would be directed toward the continued absence from New York of Redfern.”
“Exactly!” the millionaire answered.
“Then why not look in New York first?” asked Mellen.