“So it is said,” was the reply.
“And Colleton was at his desk just before the men were seen at his door?” asked Jimmie.
“Five minutes before!”
“And the person who entered his room after the two men departed found it vacant?”
“That’s the idea exactly!”
“Did you say the young thin man was excited?”
“Perhaps excited is not the correct word,” was Mr. Havens’ reply. “He seemed to be dazed with fear. The clerk sitting near the door received the idea that the man had nerved himself up to the point of confessing a crime or a dereliction of duty, and had lost his courage when he reached the door of the inspector’s room.”
“Did this young man look like Colleton?” asked Ben.
“Not at all. Colleton wore a light moustache only. This man wore a full beard. Colleton’s eyes are bright, snappy, far-seeing. This man’s eyes looked dull and lifeless under the glasses he wore. Colleton is straight, alert, confident. This man dragged his feet as he walked and his shoulders hunched together.”
“Where did the two men go after they left Colleton’s door?” asked Ben. “Did no one watch them?”