“That’s only plain common-sense,” laughed the boy.
“Gee!” exclaimed Jimmie, turning to Ben. “I’m going to write a detective story about you some day, and have it printed in one of the leading magazines on the back page next to the soap advertisements!”
“Now, here’s another point,” Ben went on. “The man who went to Colleton’s room that day to take him away carried the articles he used in disguising the man there with him. Now, here’s the question: What was done with the coat, and hat, and shirt, and tie usually worn by Colleton?”
“That’s easy!” Jimmie laughed. “The villain carried the coat and hat away with him, and put on a starched shirt or a dickey over the silk one. The correct course for the fellow to take would be to fasten a dickey around Colleton’s neck, showing a false front, a wing collar, and a red tie. That would be the easiest way to do the job!”
“Go on!” laughed the millionaire. “I like to hear you boys talk.”
“Now, what I want to know is this,” Ben went on, “has any effort been made to find the coat and hat Colleton wore that morning?”
“I don’t think so,” replied Mr. Havens. “It is my opinion, however,” the aviator went on, “that the villain, as you call him, would take the coat and hat with him.”
“Did he carry a hand-bag when seen at the door?” asked Jimmie.
“Come to think of it, he did not!” was the reply.
“There you are!” exclaimed Ben. “You’ve all regarded my theory of the case as possible, but imaginative. Now, let me ask you a question, Mr. Havens. If the coat and hat should be found in or about that room in the post-office building the finding would establish our theory of the case, wouldn’t it?”