“He immediately went to one of the rooms in response to a call left at the desk for him,” was the answer.
Maynard experienced a feeling of relief, but only for a moment.
“Is he there still?” he then asked.
“He came down almost immediately, and went away,” was the reply.
Maynard hung up the receiver, his face white and drawn. There was still much information to be asked at the hotel, but not by phone.
“Something has happened,” he thought. “Townsend may be dead, for all I know. It was a horrible mistake to permit him to go away alone with the diamonds. Why should he go to a room at the Wisconsin and leave immediately? Why should he keep me here in suspense when he understood how anxious I was as to the result of his mission? I can never solve the problem alone. I wonder if it is possible to reach Mr. Carter to-night? I wonder if he will come?”
The excited young man called the detective’s private number and waited with wildly beating heart. Presently a response came over the wire.
“Is Mr. Carter there?” he asked.
“Talking,” was the reply, much to Maynard’s relief.