"An' here ut is," O'Hagan announced, arraying the clothing upon a chair. "Iv'ry domn' thing, aven down to the socks…. And a note for ye, sor."
As he shook out the folds of the coat a square white envelope dropped to the floor; the janitor retrieved and offered it to his employer.
"Give it to the sleuth," nodded Maitland.
Scowling, Hickey withdrew the inclosure—barely glancing at the superscription.
"'Dear Mr. Maitland,'" he read aloud; "'As you will probably surmise, my motive in thus restoring to you a portion of your property is not altogether uninfluenced by personal and selfish considerations. In brief, I wish to discover whether or not you are to be at home to-night. If not, I shall take pleasure in calling; if the contrary, I shall feel that in justice to myself I must forego the pleasure of improving an acquaintance begun under auspices so unfavorable. In either case, permit me to thank you for the use of your wardrobe,—which, quaintly enough, has outlived its usefulness to me: a fat-headed detective named Hickey will tell you why,—and to extend to you expression of my highest consideration. Believe me, I am enviously yours, Daniel Anisty'—Signed," added Hickey mechanically, his face working.
"Satisfied, Sleuth?"
By way of reply, but ungraciously, the detective stepped forward and unlocked the handcuffs.
Maitland stood erect, smiling. "Thank you very much, sleuth. I shan't forget you … O'Hagan," Tossing the janitor the keys from his desk, "you'll find some—ah—lemon-pop and root-beer in the buffet, this officer and his friends will no doubt join you in a friendly drink downstairs. Cabby, I want a word with you…. Good morning, gentlemen, Good Morning, sleuth."
And he showed them the door. "I shall be at your service officer," he called over the janitor's shoulder, "at any time to-morrow morning. If not here, O'Hagan will tell you where to find me. And, O'Hagan!" The Janitor fell back. "Keep them at least an hour," Maitland told him guardedly, "and say nothing."
The Irishman pledged his discretion by a silent look. Maitland turned back to the cabby.