“Our employees feel the stigma keenly enough as it is,” the president said, “and this may help to relieve it.”
Larry finished telephoning, and sat back with a sigh of relief. He had done good work that day, and it developed later that he had made a second scoop—that about the big reward being offered. He was well satisfied with his assignment.
“And now,” began Mr. Bentfield, at the conclusion of the telephoning, “I would like to ask you a question, Mr. Dexter. Where did you get your information about the robbery?”
“I can’t tell you,” said Larry promptly. “It would be a violation of confidence, of which no newspaper man can ever be guilty.”
“Very well,” spoke Mr. Bentfield, and he was not at all unpleasant about it. “I will respect your scruples, though I would like very much to know how you reporters get your news. But, since you have it, perhaps it is all for the best. It would have had to come out sooner or later, and perhaps we should have made a statement sooner. Our directors were divided on the subject.”
“I’ll tell you how Larry Dexter got the story,” quickly exclaimed Mr. Potter. “I gave it to him. I felt that the public had a right to know of this big theft.”
The statement created surprise, and some of the directors were rather angry at Mr. Potter. But he was a big depositor, and one whom the bank wished to please, so little was said about it.
“Perhaps, after all, it is for the best,” agreed the president. “I’m sure I congratulate you, Mr. Dexter, on the clever story you wrote, and the way in which you handled this mystery. For a mystery it is, and I’m afraid we can never solve it.”
“Haven’t the detectives been able to get any clews?” asked the young reporter.
“Not a one,” replied Mr. Bentfield. “We shall now notify the regular police, and let them work on the case as well as the private agency which we engaged.”