"Would it not be better, sir," he suggested, "for me to communicate
with the police in the first case? If this should really turn out
to be an attempt at burglary, it would surely be best to leave the
matter to them."

Laverick frowned.

"For certain reasons, Halsey, which I do not think it necessary to
tell you, I have a strong desire to investigate this matter
personally. Please do exactly as I say."

He left the office and strolled up the street in the direction of
the restaurant which he chiefly frequented. He reached it in a
moment or two, but left it at once by another entrance. Within ten
minutes he was back at his office.

"Has any one been, Halsey?"

"No one, sir," the clerk answered.

"You will be so good," Laverick continued, "as to forget that I
have returned."

He passed on quickly into his own room and made his way into the
small closet where he kept his coat and washed his hands. He had
scarcely been there a minute when he heard voices in the outside
hall. The door of his office was opened.

"Mr. Laverick said nothing about an appointment at this hour," he
heard Halsey protest in a somewhat deprecating tone.