“There is no other chief in this department, is there?” was Nick’s reply, with a subtle tinge of irony.
“Well—no.”
“Chief Weston, yes,” bowed Nick. “Is he in his office?”
“I believe so.”
“Busy?”
“I reckon he is, just now.”
“Reckon, eh? Don’t you know?”
“Yes, sir, he’s busy,” the clerk now said, a bit curtly, flushing slightly under the detective’s keen eye and quietly persistent inquiries.
“He’s not too busy to see me, I think,” replied Nick, with dry assurance. “Go in and tell him I’m here.”