“It is very important,” Nick replied, drawing up a chair.
“Concerning what? I don’t recall having met you.”
“My name is Parsons,” said Nick, turning the lapel of his vest and displaying the edge of his detective badge. “I am in the bureau of secret investigation.”
“A detective?”
“Yes, in other words.”
“But why have you called on me? What’s your business?” Garland demanded, with sharper scrutiny.
“This may give you a hint at it,” said Nick, unfolding the pasted letter and handing it to him.
Garland took it and viewed it curiously for a moment. He then read it without speaking, but with brows knitting closer over his feverish eyes. Looking up with a perplexity not easily to have been distrusted, he asked, a bit curtly:
“Why is it pasted together in this way? It gives me no hint at your business. What’s the meaning of it?”
“You don’t know?” questioned Nick, though already convinced of it.