Meanwhile Julian Gray came in from delivering his message. His face was flushed, and he acted as though he had been running. He made his report, and then went into the back room in obedience to a sign from Mr. Wiggins.
"Well, Julian, your box is still safe," said the latter.
"Has that Dutchman been around here?" asked Julian.
Mr. Wiggins said he had, and then went on to give the boy a complete history of what Claus had done to secure the box.
"I got rid of him very easily," said Mr. Wiggins. "I told him that it would be well for him to write to some German friends in Chicago, where he said he lived, and he said he was going up there on business and would bring the letters back with him. I found out that his name is Claus, and that he hangs out in a pool-room. You don't know him, do you?"
No, Julian could not say that he had ever heard of him before.
"Well, don't you let the box go without seeing me about it."
"Nobody shall have it. Mr. Wiggins, I don't know how to thank you for what you have done."
"You are a good boy, Julian, and the only thing I have against you is that you will hang around that express office so much. Some day I am going to give you a good scolding for that."
"You will never hear of my being there again. I am done going there forever."