"Yes, I dropped one of the books."
"Have you found it?" came the question in a husky voice.
"I have found something."
"What is it?"
"I will not attempt to decide. You will please come downstairs and decide for me."
"I will be down in one minute."
The detective returned to the library, and after a few minutes Mr. Townsend joined him. The detective was sitting in an easy-chair drawn up to the table, smoking as coolly and calmly as though taking a last whiff just before going to bed.
"Oh, dear me!" exclaimed the banker, when he beheld the detective sitting there so cool and apparently unconcerned, "I thought you had found something."
"So I have."
"It cannot be the letter; I did have hopes."