“Suppose you give me a description of them—the specimens, I mean,” Mr. Jordan suggested. “Then, if the thief comes, I’ll know at once and have him arrested.”
“That will be fine.” Mr. Lewis tore out a sheet of paper from his notebook and wrote down the names of each animal included in the collection. He handed the paper to the attorney.
“I shall be glad to do this for you,” the latter said. “If the thief comes, I’ll slip away somehow to a telephone.”
“We don’t know how to thank you enough,” Mr. Holton said gratefully. “In doing this you will be performing an invaluable service for the museum——”
He stopped abruptly as he noticed the butler entering the room.
“Mr. Henry Overton to see you,” the servant announced, as the attorney arose.
Mr. Jordan took the card the butler handed him. He pondered for several minutes before speaking. Finally he turned his gaze upon the naturalists and their sons.
“Gentlemen,” he said with a smile, “I think the time is at hand. The thief, I believe, is here now.”
There were looks of surprise and astonishment on the faces of the visitors.