GORDON MARSH
Private Investigator
Then looking at Marsh as he laid the card down, he said, "what can I do for you?"
"As you see by my card," replied Marsh, "my business consists of conducting special private investigations. I read in the morning paper that Mr. Merton is missing, and I came in to see if you would care to use my services."
"I have placed the entire matter in the hands of the police," returned Hunt.
"You probably know, as well as I do, Mr. Hunt, that that is the next thing to burying the matter. They will be very busy for a couple of days and then forget it."
"That is about what I thought, Mr. Marsh," admitted Hunt.
"But isn't it important, for business reasons, that you ascertain definitely, and as quickly as possible, just what has happened to Mr. Merton?" Marsh asked.
"To a certain extent, yes. But Mr. Merton has left the business entirely in my hands for some time, and things will continue satisfactorily in his absence."
"Then I presume you wouldn't care to have me conduct a private investigation on your behalf, Mr. Hunt?"
"Well, I'll tell you, Mr. Marsh," said Hunt. "Until you presented your card to me this morning, the thought of doing anything beside notifying the police had not occurred to me. Let me think for a minute."