“They may come in handy as clews, after I get through with the satchel,” replied Larry quietly.
“Humph! This is all nonsense!” exclaimed the black-moustached director. “Besides, Mr. Bentfield, the regular police, or the private detectives, may want this valise as evidence. I don’t believe this reporter should take it away.”
“The private detectives did not want it,” said the president. “They said it was of no help to them, though they did have it photographed in case they might need to refer to it. And I guess the regular detectives will be the same way.”
“Any time they want it they can have it,” interposed Larry. “I will keep it safe.”
“Then you may take it,” decided the president. “I’m sure I hope you will be successful.”
“It’s all nonsense!” declared Mr. Wilson. “No good can come of having a reporter try to solve this mystery! He will put too much news in his paper.”
“And publicity is just the thing you need now!” declared Mr. Potter. “If you had made this robbery public at once, our depositors would not have been worried, for at the same time, a reassuring statement could have been made. Then, too, the thief would not have had such a chance to escape. As it is, he has a three days’ start with that million.”
“I’m not so sure of that,” said Larry.
“What do you mean?” asked the president quickly.
“I think,” answered the young reporter, “that the thief, and the million, are still in New York city. Of course I may be mistaken, but that is my theory. Now I’m going to see if I can prove it.”