“Certainly, madame. If you will step into this room with me, I will call him up and leave you to speak with him.”
This was done, and when the Chief had answered, Jennie introduced herself to him.
“I am Miss Baxter, whom you were kind enough to escort through the Treasury building this afternoon.”
“Oh, yes,” replied the Chief. “I thought we were to postpone further inquiry until to-morrow.”
“Yes, that was the arrangement; but I wanted to say that if my plans are interfered with; if I am kept under surveillance, I shall be compelled to withdraw from the search.”
A few moments elapsed before the Chief replied, and then it was with some hesitation.
“I should be distressed to have you withdraw; but, if you wish to do so, that must be a matter entirely for your own consideration. I have my own duty to perform, and I must carry it out to the best of my poor ability.”
“Quite so. I am obliged to you for speaking so plainly. I rather surmised this afternoon that you looked upon my help in the light of an interference.”
“I should not have used the word interference,” continued the Chief; “but I must confess that I never knew good results to follow amateur efforts, which could not have been obtained much more speedily and effectually by the regular force under my command.”
“Well, the regular force under your command has been at work several weeks and has apparently not accomplished very much. I have devoted part of an afternoon and evening to the matter, so before I withdraw I should like to give you some interesting information which you may impart to the Government, and I am quite willing that you should take all the credit for the discovery, as I have no wish to appear in any way as your competitor. Can you hear me distinctly?”