He was habitually reticent toward reporters, yet he was not unpopular with them.

For, besides recognizing and admiring his unbending honesty, his courage and resourcefulness, they were aware that on the rare occasions when he took them into his confidence, they could rely upon his statements as upon a mathematical certainty.

Not in all his career had he ever been known to discuss in print his theories, or deductions, or half-baked conclusion.

In that respect he differed radically from most of the detective force.

Whenever he had a statement to make, it embodied the solution of the mystery on which he had been working.