Britz walked out of the office and proceeded slowly to Police Headquarters. In the lobby he encountered Greig.
"Come into my office," said Britz. "And ask the chief to come also."
Greig summoned Manning, and the two followed Britz into the room occupied by the detective.
"Sit down and make yourselves comfortable," said Britz, producing a box of cigars and offering it to the visitors. Britz summoned the doorman.
"Don't permit anyone to disturb us!" he said to the attendant.
Lighting a fresh cigar, Britz disposed himself at his desk, and, turning toward Manning and Greig, said:
"I shall now begin to enlighten you with regard to the Whitmore case."
CHAPTER XX
Manning and Greig settled themselves comfortably in their chairs, prepared to listen to a long recital. The extraordinary methods which Britz had pursued in the conduct of the investigation had puzzled and alarmed them. To the chief it had looked as if Britz were running around in a circle, hopelessly bewildered, mistrusting every palpable lead as a new pitfall.