"Are you the Chief of Police, and may we come into your office for a moment?" questioned Grace politely.
"Come in, by all means," responded the chief heartily. He was a kindly, middle-age man, whose voice and manner invited confidence. "What can I do for you, young ladies?"
Grace turned to Kathleen, who at once poured forth the story of the appearance of "Larry, the Locksmith" in Overton, of his recognition and of how he had been traced to his hiding place.
At first Chief Ellis had looked incredulous over Kathleen's strange statement.
"How can you be sure he is the man if you have never seen him?" he asked shrewdly. "We can't afford to arrest the wrong man, you know."
Kathleen looked appealingly at Grace.
"You have a daughter in the freshman class, haven't you, Chief!" asked Grace, coming to the newspaper girl's rescue.
"Yes," smiled the chief. "I thought you were Overton girls."
"I am Miss Harlowe of the senior class. This is Miss West, a sophomore. You would not wish your daughter's name to be used in police court news, would you?"
Chief Ellis made an emphatic gesture of negation. "No!" he answered.