Mr. Bolland said, "The messenger told me that you had captured the party who has been robbing us."
I said, "Yes, that is why I sent for you."
"Whom have you caught?" he asked.
I replied, "Fred Erfert is the principal party."
Mrs. Bolland and White simultaneously exclaimed, "Why you have surely made a mistake."
Mr. Bolland said, "I told you not to bother with Erfert; that I believed he was all right."
At this juncture White (using a slang phrase) "butted in," and said, "Why, Furlong, you have got your foot in it sure. Erfert surely had nothing to do with these thefts, and you have made a great mistake by even accusing him. He has been practically raised by Mr. Bolland and in his service for many years, and we've always had implicit confidence in his honesty."
I replied, "Yes, I understand all of that; but Mr. Bolland employed me to apprehend the party, or parties, who were robbing him, which I have done. Erfert knows that he is guilty and he has fully admitted his guilt, and I am satisfied from the evidence that I have found on his person that he told the truth when he said he was guilty. I, of course, realize Mr. Bolland's disappointment in finding that Erfert was the guilty person, but I cannot help his feelings. I have simply done my duty in the matter, and now it remains with Mr. Bolland as to what shall be done with Erfert."
"Where is Erfert?" Mr. Bolland asked.
I pointed to my private office and said, "He is there and waiting to see you. He has promised me that he will tell you what he has already told my assistant and myself, and that he would at once return a considerable quantity of the stolen property to you, which I have advised him to do."