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“The rascals were wide-awake, Mr. Wilson,” said the detective, “in taking advantage of your trip to Harrisburg. Was the fact that you had paid the duties and could not attend to taking the goods out of bond talked about in the store?”

“It was no secret in the counting-room,” said Mr. Wilson.

“What is your opinion of the book-keepers, sir?”

“I have full confidence in them. They are only men, to be sure, and may have talked outside.”

“Could the store have been entered at night?”

“No, no,” said Mr. Leonard. “Nothing has been tampered with. The order was stolen in the daytime, while the safe was open.”

“How does the store-keeper at the bonded warehouse describe the parties who took away the goods?”

“In a very vague fashion,” replied Mr. Wilson. “He could not have noticed them closely. His description did not remind me of anybody I knew.”

Mr. Fitler watched him as he spoke, seeming attracted by his foppish dress and stilted manner of speaking.

“I will see the store-keeper myself,” he answered. “It is unlucky that you were called away at such a time, Mr. Wilson. Was it a near relative?”