“Yes, sir?” the bluecoat asked civilly.
“That man!” the millionaire answered hoarsely, pointing toward the approaching detective. “I must ask you to——”
Then something stopped him. He remembered that he did not have enough evidence as yet, and that it would be very unwise to press matters, unless he were reasonably sure of proving his charges.
“I—I’m mistaken!” he added confusedly.
The policeman looked at him for a moment in disgust, then turned away with a shrug of his shoulders, muttering something under his breath.
Undecided, his thoughts in a turmoil, the newspaper proprietor stood aside and allowed Chick and his companion to pass him. They had gone hardly more than ten paces, however, before he suddenly made up his mind to follow and have it out with the detective at once.
He feared that it was a very foolish thing to do, under the circumstances, especially as Chick might be in the secret as well; nevertheless, he counted on his wealth and prominence to stay their hands, no matter how hostile they might be.
Just how he meant to proceed, he did not have the slightest idea as yet, but impulse flung him after the pair, and he overtook them just as they were about to step into a taxi.
“Mr. Carter!” he said sharply.