“That is all we can reasonably ask, then,” said Goulard, with an approving nod. “If we can aid you in any way, or——”
“I will inform you, Mr. Goulard, in that case.”
“Very good. When will you begin your work?”
“Just as soon as I have decided how to begin it,” said Nick. “Like Davy Crockett, I make sure I am right before going ahead. I think you may expect me, or one of my assistants, at your store to-morrow morning.”
“I would prefer that you give the matter your personal attention,” said Goulard suggestively.
“I always do that, sir, when engaged in an investigation of even the simplest kind of a case,” Nick said, with seeming indifference.
“Gee! if that gazabo gets anything out of the chief, he’ll do it with a double, back-action corkscrew,” thought Patsy, noting Nick’s suave reticence and not half liking the strong, dark face of this second visitor.
Mr. Goulard did not prolong his interview, however, save to discuss the matter in a general way and learn what information Mantell had imparted. It was eight o’clock when the two men left the detective’s residence, Nick seeing them to the door and then returning to the library.
“Well, what do you make of it?” Chick at once inquired. “I saw that you were not inclined to confide your opinions to Goulard. That convinced me that you had formed one, at least.”
“Gee! I was hit in the same spot,” declared Patsy.