“Is it exactly the same as the one ordinarily used by your bank, when money is to be carried through the streets?” asked Larry, as he looked at the satchel.
“No, not exactly,” replied the president. “The outside, the kind of leather and its general appearance are almost identical. But the lining of steel wire is not in this valise. I suppose the thief did not consider it necessary to provide that in this duplicate satchel, as it could only be seen by tearing out the inner leather lining.”
“Then this is point number one,” said Larry, making a note of it. “The thief got a valise as nearly like the regular one used as possible.”
“There’s something in that!” exclaimed Mr. Potter. “Did your regular, or private detectives, think of that, Mr. Bentfield?”
“No, they did not. Mr. Dexter, I am beginning to have hopes that you will yet get to the bottom of this.”
“It’s too soon to hope yet,” replied Larry. “Now, if you will let me take this valise, I will get right to work on this case. This end will keep me busy for some time, and, if I want any more help I suppose I can see you.”
“At any time,” replied the president quickly.
Larry emptied the bricks, and their newspaper wrappings, from the satchel. They had played the part of a million dollars most successfully for a time, and they were, to a certain extent, relics of value.
“These had better be saved,” spoke the young reporter, wrapping the bricks in the papers and placing them on the president’s desk.
“What good will they be?” sneered Mr. Wilson.