He must act promptly and decisively, or he would find himself in a distinctly unfavorable position in his relations with the Criminal Investigation Department.
"I happen to be acquainted with Mr.Forbes," he said, striving desperately to appear cool and methodical when his brain was seething.
"Would you mind if I just rang him up on the telephone?
A few words now might enlighten us materially." "O, you are most helpful," said the lady, blushing again with timid gratitude.

"I am so glad I summoned up courage to call on you.

I was terrified at the idea of going to the Police Headquarters, but I shall not mind it at all now." Soon Theydon was asking for "00400, Bank." He had left the door of his sitting room open purposely.

No matter what the outcome, he no longer dared keep the compact of silence into which he had entered with Forbes.
But the millionaire was not at his office.

In response to a very determined request for a word with some one in authority, "on a matter of real urgency," the clerk who had answered the call brought "Mr.
Forbes's secretary," a Mr.Macdonald, to the telephone.
"It is important, vitally important, that I should speak with Mr.Forbes within the next few minutes," said Theydon, after giving his name and address.