"You mean for fear of antagonizing your superiors?"
"Yes, that's the chief reason," Jerome Davis admitted hesitatingly.
"Have you another?" Mr. Nichols probed.
"It's this way," the officer informed, growing confidential. "The commissioner seems to think that I've sold out to Rap Molberg. At least he appears to suspect that I serve as a stool pigeon for the gang, and tip them off as to the best time to pull a job. I've been demoted twice. A self-respecting man would have resigned long ago."
"Unless he wanted to prove the truth," Mr. Nichols suggested softly.
"That's it," the officer agreed. "I mean to hang on until I'm fired from the force. I've been unlucky because so many jobs have been pulled in my district. I'm working on the case when I'm off duty and one of these days I may get a break."
"You spoke of working cautiously. Are you afraid to have your superiors know what you are about?"
"Not exactly. You see, Mr. Nichols, lately I've been running down a few tips regarding the whereabouts of Rap Molberg. Some of his henchmen have given me a polite warning to mind my own affairs. Their threats have terrified my daughter, and my son, Jimmie."
"Then you don't feel that you can push the search?" the detective inquired pointedly.
"I intend to go on just as I have," Jerome Davis maintained firmly. "I expect to do everything in my power to capture Rap Molberg!"