“Not unless he was a magician and I don’t think Tully would do a thing like that. He’s wild and headstrong, but he wouldn’t go that far. Why that’s working against Uncle Sam!”
“Certainly, but some people aren’t bothered by scruples like that. Well, if we’re sure the paper wasn’t tossed out the window, it narrows down to three people—the man you caught, Tully and yourself.”
“But I wouldn’t take that paper,” smiled Bob.
“Of course not. I know that and so does Waldo Edgar, or he wouldn’t have made you a provisional agent. But Condon Adams is as anxious to solve this case as I am and he may try to hang something around your neck. Remember, that only three of you were in the room and that paper disappeared in some manner.”
“I hadn’t thought of it in that way,” reflected Bob. “It does put me in a pretty serious light.”
“That’s why I have been so anxious that you be assigned to work with me on this case. I had a long talk with Edgar this morning. I’d told him of your ambition to eventually join the service and pointed out that you might well prove invaluable as an inside man on this case. He agreed with me and of course when Condon Adams put up about the same kind of a proposition in behalf of Tully, he couldn’t say no.”
“I’d like to know where Adams gets all his pull,” said Bob.
“Part of it is due to ability and part of it to powerful political friends,” explained his uncle. “The senator from Adams’ home state is high up in administration circles and in addition is a firm friend of this department. He’s helped get us the additional appropriations we’ve needed to expand and equip the department properly and of course the chief can’t ignore that when Adams puts the pressure on.”
“I suppose not,” admitted Bob, “but it seems unfair to the other men who have no political friends.”
“His is about the only case in the department in which that is true,” said his uncle. “But he’s competent, too. Don’t mistake that. I’ll have to keep on my toes if I run this radio mystery down before he does.”