“Do you mean,” asked Mr. Sanborn, “that thieves would know that I have not done so?”
“Sure,” said Chick.
Nick nodded his head emphatically in support of his assistant’s statement.
Mr. Sanborn was visibly annoyed and perplexed. Finally, he turned sharply to Nick and said:
“I say, why can’t you take charge of this thing and do what is proper.”
Nick smiled a little as he replied:
“We could do so, but it is hardly in our line. This work, as a rule, is done by the officers of the Central Detective Office. What surprises me is that they have waited there for you to ask them. Usually, on such occasions, they come to ask what provisions you desire to have made.”
Mr. Sanborn frowned and looked rather grave. Then he replied:
“I could give you the reason why they have not done so, Mr. Carter, if I thought it wise to do so. While it is not in your line, is it too much to ask you to take charge for me to-day?”
“It is not too much for you to ask, Mr. Sanborn, in view of our friendship and relations, though it might be for others. Under all the circumstances, if you desire us to do so, we will take charge to-day and carry the thing through.”