The ground was thrashed over pretty thoroughly, Matt putting questions from time to time that brought out even the apparently insignificant details. When the explanations were done a silence fell over the chums. Dick was first to speak.
"Keelhaul me," he observed, in deep contrition, "neither Carl nor I seem able to do a thing right when you're not around."
"I'm not finding any fault with you, pards," returned Matt. "Even the officer was fooled, so it is quite natural that you should have made the mistake. Give me that number on Prytania Street. I'd better hike right out there and have Townsend tell me what was in the letter."
"It would be a wrong move, mate."
"How so?"
"Townsend said the matter was of the utmost importance——"
"All the more reason why I should find out about it as soon as possible!"
"But he insisted that you wasn't to come to him until midnight, to-night."
"He don't know the letter has got into wrong hands."
"Sure he don't, but he's afraid the house where he is is being watched, and we were to tell you to come around the back way and knock at the rear door. I'm a Fiji if I know what's up, but Townsend was mighty particular that you shouldn't come until midnight."