He then looked white and drawn, however, as men look who have aged years in as many days under some terrible experience. Mental distress of the most poignant kind was reflected in his face, and Nick rightly inferred, as Chief Welden also perceived, that the young man apprehended further direful disclosures and additional misery from this unexpected summons to the chief’s office.
Welden hastened to reassure him, however, by saying, with sympathetic voice and a smile:
“Draw up a chair, Garland, and shake hands with this gentleman. We have brought him from New York to pull you out of this affair. I think he may succeed in doing so, for he rarely fails, if ever, in what he seriously undertakes. His own mother would not know him just now, however. Shake hands with Nick Carter.”
Garland’s face lighted as if a ray of sunshine had fallen on it. He clasped Nick’s hand, felt its cordial and sympathetic pressure, and his voice choked despite himself.
“I’m awfully glad to know you, Mr. Carter, and ten thousand times more so in knowing that you are to look into this matter,” he said feelingly; then, with a quick glance at the chief: “Why have I not been told of this, Chief Welden? You know what horrible anguish and anxiety I am undergoing.”
“Very true, Garland,” said Welden, smiling significantly. “But we did not know positively that Carter would be in a position to comply with the president’s request. What good to have extended you false hopes? Sit down, now, and have a talk with Mr. Carter. He wants to ask you a few questions.”
Garland hastened to comply, while Nick said, in a more businesslike fashion:
“Welden has told me all of the superficial circumstances, Mr. Garland, and I’ll do what I can for you. Let’s waste no time in getting right at the matter, for time is always valuable. Steady yourself and answer my questions as quickly and concisely as possible.”
“I will do so, Mr. Carter,” said Garland eagerly.
“To begin with, then, who else occupies your office in the war department? Are there any clerks, or others, in the employ of the government?”