A gentleman came forward and demanded the seeming countryman's
business, and the detective asked to see one of the members of
the firm, calling him by name, leaving learned the same from
the sign over the door.
"He is busy," was the answer.
That was just the answer the detective had expected, and it
was in anticipation of such an answer that he boldly walked in
and ventured the inquiry.
"When will he be at leisure?"
"It is hard to tell."
The clerk knew Denman and suspected that it was private and
important business that had brought the master of the "Nancy"
to New York.
"I wish to see him particularly."
"Cam I not attend to the business for Mr. M----?"
"No sir; I must see Mr. M---- personally."
"Can you call again?"
"I will wait."
"He may be engaged a long time."
"I cannot help it, I must see him to-day, and it does not
make much difference; I am in no hurry, I can wait as well as
not."
The clerk walked away and our hero edged toward the office
situated at the rear of the store, and seated himself upon a
case of goods, resting directly against the office partition.
A glass casing only separated the detective from the members
of the firm and the master of the "Nancy," and he could
overhear all that passed.
The clerk meantime was busy in the forward part of the store,
and paid no heed to the stupid-looking countryman.
Spencer Vance was well repaid for his risks. He overheard the
names of several firms, and got down facts which made it a
dead open and shut case.
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