“Certainly.”
“What is the process of despatch? When that order came in to whom did it go?”
“Well, I read it first and dropped it into a basket, from which it went automatically to the accounts department. Following the ordinary routine, the money would be collected, and if all was O.K. an order would go to the sales department for the despatch of the goods. When the despatch had taken place a notification in duplicate would be returned to the office, and one copy, with the receipt, would be mailed to the purchaser. The whole thing is, of course, routine, and so far as I know that routine was carried out in this case. But we can see all concerned, if you like.”
“That’s just what I would like,” French declared.
“Come along, then.”
“There’s another thing, Mr. Fogden,” French interposed. “I have told you my business because I wanted your help. But I am anxious that no one else suspects it. If I give out that the duplicator was stolen and that you have employed me to find the thief, will you back up the yarn?”
“Certainly. I am naturally anxious to have the affair cleared up. But do you think you can keep your real business secret?”
“I can for a time. But that may be long enough for me to get my man.”
In the sales department French was first shown a duplicator. It was an elaborate machine with the usual large cylinder and ingenious devices for turning out copies at high speed.
“What does it weigh?” he asked, when he had duly admired it.