“No,” said Mr. Somers, greatly interested. “I never thought of that.”
“You see where your fault was, then, in depending too much on yourself, and not calling in the detective police. You forget that it is the business of their lives to search out crimes and mysteries.”
“I wish I had met you sooner. It would have been better than the detectives.”
“You are?” cried Mr. Somers in great astonishment.
“Yes, sir. My name is Fitler. I thank you for your confidence in this matter. If you wish I will undertake to work it up. I am in doubt, though, that it may be too late.”
“I shall be too happy to have the services of a shrewd man like you. I see I have done you officers injustice. But why have you, a detective, called on me and asked me so many questions?”
“I will tell you,” said Mr. Fitler, “since I am satisfied, from your answers, that I was on a wrong track. You know a boy called Will Somers?”
“I know no such boy!” cried the old gentleman, excitedly. “If I did I should know my own son, for that was his name. Why do you ask me such a question as that?”
“Because you certainly do know him, and have had visits from him. It is that that brings me here.”
“I do not understand you,” said Mr. Somers, in perplexity. “The only boy I know of is one engaged in Mr. Leonard’s dry-goods store. He saved me from being crushed under a street car. I have been very grateful to him, and have called on him, and made him visit me.”
“And is that all?” said the officer, laughing. “You do not know what suspicions have been excited.”
“But Will Somers, you say. Is that his name? I did not ask him.”
“Do you think it possible he may be my son?” asked the old gentleman, pathetically.
“It is not impossible,” was the reply. “Will has had a rough life in the streets. I do not know his antecedents.”
“Heaven send he may prove my son,” said the old man, with tears in his eyes. “He is none the worse for his rough life. He is noble, brave, strong and beautiful. I would be glad to call him son.”
“Do you really think so? I had a thought that way. That is another important link.”
“Do not build too high on this chance. You may be disappointed. It is worth investigating, though.”
“Yes, yes; it shall be, thoroughly. I must see him this very day--this very hour. But the suspicions you speak of. What are they?”