“When did you get in, Mr. Carter?” asked the president, after greeting his caller.
“I would prefer to have you allude to me as Nicholas, Mr. Hepner. Cut out the Carter, for the present.”
“All right, Mr. Nicholas. When did you reach town?”
“Last night.”
“I have been looking for you to call for two hours or more.”
“I was too busy to call before. Just how much more than five thousand dollars did the thieves make way with, Mr. Hepner?”
The president flashed a quick glance into the detective’s face.
“What leads you to believe that they got any more than that amount?” he asked.
“Several things. You would not have wired me to take this case on my own terms for a mere bagatelle of five thousand.”
“Possibly not.”