“He feared to have so much money with him, and left it here for safe-keeping, I suppose?”
“That’s it. A very breezy, genial gentleman he is, too, Mr. Nicholas. I assure you of that.”
“Breezy enough, I dare say,” returned Nick, carelessly.
“You gave a peculiar name to these robbers, a moment ago,” said the president. “What was it you called them?”
“Yeggmen.”
“Originally he was a hobo. Association with professional criminals, either in prison or ‘on the road,’ has taught him a knowledge of high explosives—how to extract nitroglycerin from dynamite, and how to use nitro in blowing open safes, and so on. The methods of the ‘yeggs,’ as compared with the old-time, skilled cracksman, are simple and labor-saving.”
“That is quite interesting. It has been a mystery to all of us how our safe was blown open. Will you explain, Mr. Nicholas?”
Nick complied, very briefly, and then, after a little more questioning, arose to go.
“If I can aid you in any way, Mr. Nicholas,” said the president, rising to accompany the detective to the door, “do not fail to call on me. As for your bill——”