He waited, and a moment later a servant entered to say that two detectives, Jason Fellows and Stanley Williams, had arrived from the factory and wished to report to him.
Penny and her father politely arose to withdraw, but Mr. Gandiss waved them back into chairs.
“No, don’t go,” he said. “I want you to meet these men.”
The two detectives, who had reached the island in a rented motorboat, appeared in the doorway. Mr. Gandiss introduced them to Penny and her father, and then inquired what had brought them to the house at so late an hour.
“It’s the same old story only more of it,” Detective Williams said tersely. “Another large supply of brass disappeared from the factory yesterday.”
“Any clues?”
“Not a one. Obviously the brass is being stolen by employes, but so far the guilty persons have eluded all our traps.”
“Have you calculated how much I am losing a year?” Mr. Gandiss asked bitterly.
“At the present resale value of brass and copper, not less than $60,000 a year,” Mr. Fellows reported. “However, the thieves are becoming bolder day by day, so your loss may run much higher.”
“See here,” Mr. Gandiss said, showing irritation. “I’m paying you fellows a salary to catch those thieves, and I expect action! You say you have no clues?”