“Very good. As to quantity?”
“Put it down five to fifteen barrels—his thirst varies; his other appetites do not.”
“These things are unusual. They ought to furnish quite good clues toward tracing him.”
He touched the bell.
“Alaric; summon Captain Burns.”
Burns appeared. Inspector Blunt unfolded the whole matter to him, detail by detail. Then he said in the clear, decisive tones of a man whose plans are clearly defined in his head and who is accustomed to command:
“Captain Burns, detail Detectives Jones, Davis, Halsey, Bates, and Hackett to shadow the elephant.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Detail Detectives Moses, Dakin, Murphy, Rogers, Tupper, Higgins, and Bartholomew to shadow the thieves.”
“Yes, sir.”