“No, sir. He said nothing about his plans.”
“Did he seem specially careful about the casket?”
“Yes, sir. He carried that in his hands, but let the servant carry up the gripsack.”
“My friend,” said the agent in an impressive tone, “I am going to surprise you.”
The country clerk looked all curiosity.
“Is it about Mr. Wheeler?” he asked.
“Yes, the man is a thief. He stole the casket, which contains valuable jewelry, from my young friend here. We are here to demand a return of the property or to arrest him. Is there a policeman within call?”
“I can summon a constable.”
“Do so, but don’t breathe a word of what I have told you.”
The clerk called a boy in from the street and gave him instructions in a low voice. He went at once on his errand, and in ten minutes a stout broad shouldered man made his appearance.