Armstrong looked up, frowning. "Mac, what the devil can it mean?" "How do I know?" Macgowan shrugged. "All I know is right there. If these men of yours are getting into trouble and making use of my name--" "It's a lie from start to finish!" snapped Armstrong. "There's something queer about this letter. Jimmy, do your coast reports show any such situation out there?" "Not a thing," said Wren promptly. "The entire allotment of Food Products stock will be sold out before the coast men quit work, the first of the year. They are furious because we're quitting the territory. Looks like all they do out there is to show the prospect where the dotted line is. This letter is bunk!" "It's not that," returned Armstrong thoughtfully. "It's written by a friend who wants to save Mac from trouble. It's possible that some disgruntled investor has raised some kind of howl--" "In such case," interposed Wren with some heat, "can't he turn in his stock and get his money back? Haven't we a standing agreement to protect every dissatisfied investor? Is there the least excuse for anybody running to the postal authorities?" Armstrong shook his head. "It's past me. What about it, Mac?" Macgowan had entirely lost his nervous air. He was watching Armstrong closely. Now he lighted a cigar, flourished the match, and responded with some deliberation. "As you say, it's possible that some one has sent in a complaint; perhaps to a newspaper which has played the matter up strong. Maybe Lewis saw something in the paper and wrote me without knowing all the circumstances. Of course, the whole thing is absurd--" "Your friend Lewis does not substantiate his statements," said Armstrong. "But if the authorities are starting any investigation, we want to know it! There's no foundation for anything of the kind, but the fact that we're under investigation will hurt us. There's no protection except by going direct to the source." He sat down at the desk and took up the telephone. "Get me the Dorns Detective Agency. I want Robert Dorns personally." Macgowan swung around as though he had been shot. "Wait! Give me a word first!" At this swift, imperative command, Armstrong's eyes widened. He had never heard Macgowan use such a tone. He told the operator to hold up the call. "What is it, Mac?" "Just this. If you call Dorns into the matter, he may cause trouble--" "He's the biggest detective in the country, absolutely responsible." "Sure. At the same time, the matter can be better handled from the inside. I'll run down to Washington to-night. You know, I have a good many friends there, Federal men and others. If any investigation is going on, I can check it quicker than Dorns could." "I don't want it checked!" said Armstrong angrily. "I want everything wide open! And I want these reports run down to the ground!"