“In that case,” Ben went on, “where would the villain naturally throw the coat and hat?”
“In the safe!” shouted Jimmie springing to his feet. “Has the safe been opened yet, Mr. Havens?” the boy continued.
“An expert was at work on it when I left New York,” was the reply.
“Well, when they get it open,” Ben asserted confidently, “they’ll find Colleton’s hat and coat inside.”
“Say, but it’s easy to solve this case as long as we establish all the facts to suit ourselves!” laughed Jimmie.
“I believe this little thinking machine,” said Mr. Havens nodding to Ben, “really has the right view of it!”
“He thinks so, too,” grinned Jimmie wrinkling his freckled nose.
“Yes, and so do you!” declared Ben.
“If you know all about the case, then,” Jimmie went on, “why don’t you tell us how this burly ruffian got Colleton out of Washington? Mr. Havens says the alarm was given within half an hour of the disappearance of the inspector. It seems to me that the cops might have dragged in a hundred sporty looking men with red neckties and slouch hats for the inspector’s friends to look over for the purpose of identification.”
“If you talk with the Washington officials to-night,” Mr. Havens said, “they will insist that the two men who were seen at the door of Mr. Colleton’s room had nothing to do with the disappearance of the inspector.”