Oakley struck the bell, and Berry himself answered it.

"You 're just the man we want," said Oakley, shortly.

Berry looked astonished.

"Shall I question him," asked the officer, "or will you?"

"I will. Berry, you deposited five hundred dollars at the bank
yesterday?"

"Well, suh, Mistah Oakley," was the grinning reply, "ef you ain't de
beatenes' man to fin' out things I evah seen."

The employer half rose from his chair. His face was livid with anger.
But at a sign from the detective he strove to calm himself.

"You had better let me talk to Berry, Mr. Oakley," said the officer.

Oakley nodded. Berry was looking distressed and excited. He seemed not
to understand it at all.

"Berry," the officer pursued, "you admit having deposited five hundred
dollars in the bank yesterday?"

"Sut'ny. Dey ain't no reason why I should n't admit it, 'ceptin'
erroun' ermong dese jealous niggahs."

"Uh huh! well, now, where did you get this money?"