CHAPTER XII
ANTONIO SPATOLA APPEARS
Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton were admitted to the cell room at the City Hall without question; but a distinct surprise awaited them there. Through a private door leading from the detectives' quarters they saw the bulky form of Osborne emerge; and at his heels were Bernstine and his sandy-haired clerk.
When Osborne caught sight of Ashton-Kirk he expanded into a wide smile of satisfaction.
"Hello!" greeted he. "Glad to see you. You're just in time to see me turn a new trick. Here's the people that Spatola bought the bayonet from. How does that strike you?"
But Bernstine leaned over and said something in a low tone; and the smile instantly departed.
"Oh," said Osborne, ruefully, "this is the party who called to see you, is it?" Then turning to Ashton-Kirk he asked: "How did you get onto this bayonet business?"
"Just through thinking it over a little, that's all," answered the investigator.
Mr. Bernstine now approached the speaker, a hurt look upon his face.
"Mr. Ashton-Kirk," said he, "why did you not tell us about this piece of business? Why did you not enlighten us? How could you go away and leave us in the dark? We are very much occupied, and have little time to look at the newspapers. It was only by accident that Sime happened to see one." Lowering his voice, he added: "There's a smart fellow for you; he saw the whole thing in an instant. And so we came right here to do what we can to help justice." He squared his shoulders importantly.