"That is a little hard, isn't it, Carter? We would like to know, from time to time, how you are getting on, and what you are doing."
"That is precisely what you will not do."
"All right. Have it your own way. But what about the other men that are now on the case, Carter?"
"Leave them on it. Add more of them. Appear to increase your vigilance in other quarters. If there are fifty detectives on the case now, add fifty more if you wish. I would prefer that you should do so rather than not. The more the better."
"But suppose that one of them should nab the real Hobo Harry while you are seeking him. You would lose the reward."
"I will take my chances about that. The point is that I must work absolutely independent of all others who are on the case, and that nobody outside of yourself and the board of directors of your company must know that my services have been called into the matter. Will you agree to that?"
"Certainly."
"Increase your vigilance on every side, if you can. If you do so, you will assist me."
"I suppose," said the president slowly, "that it is your plan to become a yeggman yourself, in pursuing this case."
"It does not matter how I may accomplish it, does it?"