"He's a crafty beggar!" commented Twomley. "I left all the telegrams with the police, and Sir Roger is taking the whole matter up with the United States state department. The Secret Service of the government will presently be at work on this case, for it is of international importance. Can you give any information, Motor Matt, that will help us find Ben Ali, or Miss Manners?"
Matt shook his head.
"Why doesn't the ambassador agree to send some one to meet Ben Ali? Then the rascal could be caught."
"He's too clever to let himself be caught. He——"
Just here Boss Burton strode into the tent, followed by Carl.
"Shut up about that, Carl," the showman was growling. "You haven't any right to that letter, and I'm going to keep it."
"I'm in der tedectif pitzness," returned Carl, "und I need dot ledder, py shinks, to helup unrafel der case. Modor Matt," and Carl appealed to his pard, "make Purton gif me der ledder."
"What letter?" demanded Matt.
"I'll tell you what we'll do," said Burton to Carl; "we'll leave the letter with Matt. If Wily can prove it's his, then Matt can turn the thing over to him."
Burton handed a folded sheet to Matt. The latter, entirely in the dark, opened the sheet and laid it on his knee.