"And may I ask," the magnate's face was a mask, not a muscle moved, "how you happened to be in possession of these messages?"
Curlie could hear his own heart beat, but he held his ground. "Since I am attached to the government radiophone staff, it is my duty to catch and record all unfair and illegally sent messages, to record them as evidence and for future reference."
Curlie fancied he saw the man start. The words that followed were spoken still in a cold, collected tone.
"These messages you say were unfair?"
"Unfair and illegally sent."
"How illegal?"
"They were sent with exceedingly high power and on 600 meter wave lengths. Such high power is unlawful for all amateurs and the use of 600 is granted to ships and ship stations alone.
"Ah!"
For a second the man appeared to reflect. Then suddenly:
"We are wasting time. My son has mysteriously disappeared. I have reason to fear foul play. Let me assure you that I know nothing about his whereabouts and, previous to this moment, that I have known nothing regarding these illegally sent messages."