“Then the robbers are choice in their operations. They don’t make a raid on every invoice. I judge from that this lot you expect now would not be disturbed, even if there had been no discovery.”
“I quite agree with you there,” said Mr. Wilson. “They will wait till our vigilance is relaxed.”
Mr. Fitler leaned back in his chair, looking closely at Wilson as he spoke.
This intent observation of persons was a habit of his. It seemed to be called forth now by Mr. Wilson’s decided settling of how the thieves would act. His tone had been very positive.
“I guess it is very likely you are right,” said the officer, carelessly.
They were interrupted by the opening of the door, and the abrupt entrance of Will into the room.
“Mr. Thompson says that’s all correct,” he said, nodding familiarly to the officer.
“He wants to know, what’s more, what stuff you feed your messengers on, that makes them so slippery of the tongue.”
“You have been giving him some impudence, Will,” said Mr. Leonard.
“Not a bit. I never give impudence,” said Will, indignantly. “I jist wakened some of them up a trifle. They were loafing over other things, you see, and keeping me waiting. Now that weren’t my idee of bizness, and I didn’t stop long to say so.”
“What did you say to them?” asked Wilson.
“I told them that if they thought I was goin’ to hang round cooling my shins waitin’ on them, they’d spent their money for the wrong monkey, that was all. But I didn’t give no impudence.”
“You came very near it, then,” said Wilson.
“Bizness is about done up for to-night, and I’ve got some of my own to ’tend to. Anything ag’in’ my gettin’ off early?” asked Will.
“That’s clever. Want to call on my uncle,” replied Will, with an odd look, as he left the room.
“There is some hidden meaning in that last remark,” said the officer, rising. “Very likely he may be going to call on the old man you speak of. I think I will track him and learn who this individual is.”
Will was not twenty steps from the door before the eyes of the shrewd officer were on him. Unconscious of espionage he hurried in a rapid manner through the streets, giving Mr. Fitler some trouble to keep him in sight.
He stopped at length on the doorstep of one of the fine houses on Arch street, and boldly rung the bell.