"You might have done more and I won't deny I wish to goodness you had.
However, you acted with considerable sense. You might have done worse--much worse."
"I'm glad if you think so," the boy asserted modestly. "It seemed to me afterward that I had been very stupid. It all was so quick! Almost like sleight-of-hand."
"You were up against experts, sonny," Mr. Inspector remarked more gently than he had yet spoken. "You did well to detect them at all. Now fire ahead with your yarn."
In simple, straightforward fashion Christopher told his story and it was evident several parts afforded his critical listener satisfaction, for twice he muttered beneath his breath:
"Very good! _Very_ good!"
The tale finished, Christopher paused, breathless.
"Could you give me any description of these fellows?" his cross questioner inquired.
"The big chap--the one who tried on the rings--was tall, heavy, had light hair and a bald spot on the top of his head. I looked right down on it."
"Excellent!"
"His eyes I could not see. His face was smooth-shaven, and on his right cheek, going from his ear almost to the corner of his mouth, was a white, queer sort of scar that--"
The inspector started from his seat, then sank back again.
"Ah!" was all he said. "And the other fellow?"
"Small, dark, black-haired, with a coat much too big for him. His nose was sharp, and he kept looking over his shoulder."
"Anything else?"
"I'm afraid that's all, except that his hands were dirty as if they had been in ink or grease or something. Maybe they hadn't, though."
The inspector beamed upon him.
"You have a very observing son, Mr. Burton, very! He's a fine lad. You should be proud of him."
"Has he helped you at all?"
"At all? He has given me precisely the information I was after."
"And you think you could identify the men?"
"I know them already."
"Know who they are?" gasped Christopher.
"Yes."
It was obvious the expert was enjoying the lad's mystification.
"You don't mean you know their names," persisted Christopher.
"Indeed I do--all their many names, for they have almost as long a list of them as you have yourself."
The inspector evidently considered this a good joke, for he laughed heartily at it without noticing how the great Mr. Burton glared at him.
"And not only do I know their names, but I have their pictures as well,"
he continued, when he had done laughing. "What do you think of that?"
"Met them before, have you?" interrogated Mr. Burton, his disapproval mollified to some degree by his pride in his son.
"Oh, I know all about that pair," replied the inspector; "if they prove to be the couple I think them. No wonder your clerk failed to suspect them. They are very polished gentleman."
"They were indeed, sir," Hollings put in. "They had a million-dollar air about them."
"I know they had. They are crackajacks at this sort of thing. They are wanted this minute in Chicago for a job not unlike this one."
"Really!"
Christopher's face glowed with excitement. To think he had actually beheld two such desperate characters and given evidence against them! If he had only spoken sooner and helped to capture them!
Something of this regret probably shadowed his brow, for the inspector added:
"They would have managed their get-away even had you given the alarm, son. Both were doubtless well armed and prepared to make their escape.
Taken by surprise, as you clerks all were, no one could have stopped them. They would have shot any person who obstructed their dash for liberty."
"Do you think so?" Poor Hollings drew a breath of relief.
"I know it. They've done it before. They had their pistols and a waiting motor car, and had no mind to be caught."
"Then if I'd yelled from the balcony--"
"It would have done no good and would, perhaps, have done much harm instead. You would merely have furnished an alarm on which they would instantly have acted. As it is, we know them, and our nets are out. I would, however, like to take your son down to headquarters, Mr. Burton, and let him look over our photographs just to see if he can pick these winners from the bunch."
"Certainly, sir. Certainly! Get your hat and coat, Christopher. I believe I'll go along too, Mr. Inspector, if you are willing. My son and I were just starting out to lunch."
"By all means; I have a car here."
"I don't suppose I could persuade you to--"
"No, thank you, Mr. Burton. I'm up to my ears in business, sir. However, you are very kind. I must get right back to headquarters as fast as I can."
"I see."
"This is a detailed description of the ring, is it?" continued he, tapping an envelope he held in his hand. "Size of the diamonds, their weight, the complete record?"
"Yes."
"Good. I guess that's all we need."
"Do you think you will be able to--"