“But aren’t you going to——”
“Of course, I’m going to do everything I can to catch him, senator,” the criminal interrupted, in a tone which seemed to imply that that was a matter of course. “If possible, I shall try to trap him just after you have met his demands, and while he has the money on his person. I cannot promise, however, to catch him to-day, or this week, and, knowing his methods as well as I do, I know that you can’t afford to risk any delay. The chances are, of course, that I can make him disgorge, and that you’ll get your money back, but the important thing is to play safe, isn’t it?”
Ex-Senator Phelps nodded slowly and hopelessly.
“I suppose you’re right,” he agreed. “I had hoped for immediate help, Carter, for something that would put new hope into me. Evidently, I expected too much, though. I’ll do as you say, of course, and try to believe that everything will come out all right. Good morning.”
And with that he left the room, walking as if he were seventy instead of sixty.
“Number one!” Green-eye Gordon chuckled as he leaned back in his seat. “A hundred and fifty thousand isn’t bad for a starter. I wonder who will be the next?”
CHAPTER XLVIII.
UP AGAINST IT.
A few minutes later, the front-door bell rang again, and this time the salver which the butler presented to his supposed employer bore the card of Harold Lumsden.