“Make a pretense of trying to get some further information from Grote, just to keep up the hum of conversation, while I take a look in the private office of Mr. Byke.”
So, while the coroner engaged Mr. Grote in further conversation, Nick silently used his pick-lock, entered the private office of Mr. Byke and remained for nearly ten minutes.
When he returned to Redway’s office he locked the communicating door behind him, and then said:
“Mr. Grote, as a representative of Superintendent Byrnes, I ask you to mention to no one the fact that you saw me enter that room just now. It may be of great concern to innocent parties who are in danger at this time[{33}] that my visit to Mr. Byke’s office shall not be known to any one save our three selves for the present.”
“You can rely on me, sir, to be mum on the subject.”
“Thank you, and that is all.”
Nick himself accompanied Mr. Grote to the large office, and, addressing the two policemen, said:
“Mr. McCarthy, all these good people, except Mr. Redway, of whom we wish to ask a few more questions, may go. Mr. Brown, you will see that they have free access to their offices or the street.”
Then, turning to Redway, the detective said:
“I would like to get a little more information from you, Mr. Redway. Will you be so kind as to step back into your office with me once more?”