“No, I meant don’t ‘fall down’ on the assignment—don’t miss getting it.”
“Oh, I see! Well, I’ll do my best,” and he laughed.
It seemed a long time for Larry to wait until the millionaire returned, and the young reporter kept looking at his watch as if that would hasten matters. Afterward Larry learned that Mr. Potter had even engaged a taxicab in order to come and go more quickly, for he felt a real liking for our hero, and wanted to help him.
Mr. Potter re-entered his office. There was a look on his face that told Larry he had been successful, and had secured the story.
“Well?” asked the reporter anxiously.
“It’s true!” exclaimed the millionaire. “I would never have believed it possible that a million dollars could have been stolen so easily. But it’s gone! It’s a great mystery.”
“Did they hesitate about telling you?” asked Larry.
“They did, until I demanded to know, as my right, and I threatened to inform the banking commissioner if they did not let me know all the facts. They wanted to know where I got my information, but I didn’t tell. The bank is solvent, however, though the loss is a heavy one. The depositors will lose nothing. Now here are the facts, as far as they’re known, and that isn’t much. It’s a queer mystery.”
“A mystery; how?” asked Larry.
“Why, the way the money disappeared. It was almost like magic. I’ll tell you the main facts, and you can elaborate on them later.