“Well, the regular force under your command has been at work several weeks and has apparently not accomplished very much. I have devoted part of an afternoon and evening to the matter, so before I withdraw I should like to give you some interesting information which you may impart to the Government, and I am quite willing that you should take all the credit for the discovery, as I have no wish to appear in any way as your competitor. Can you hear me distinctly?” “Perfectly, madame,” replied the Chief. “Then, in the first place, inform the Government that there has been no robbery.” “No robbery? What an absurd statement, if you will excuse me speaking so abruptly! Where is the gold if there was no robbery?” “I am coming to that. Next inform the Government that their loss will be but trifling. That heap of _débris_ which you propose to cart away contains practically the whole of the missing two hundred million florins. More than one-third of the heap is pure gold. If you want to do a favour to a good friend of yours, and at the same time confer a benefit upon the Government itself, you will advise the Government to secure the services of Herr Feltz, so that the gold may be extracted from the rubbish completely and effectually. I put in a word for Herr Feltz, because I am convinced that he is a most competent man. To-night his action saved you from dismissal to-morrow, therefore you should be grateful to him. And now I have the honour to wish you good-night.” “Wait--wait a moment!” came in beseeching tones through the telephone. “My dear young lady, pray pardon any fault you have to find with me, and remain for a moment or two longer. Who, then, caused the explosion, and why was it accomplished?” “That I must leave for you to find out, Herr Director. You see, I am giving you the results of merely a few hours’ inquiry, and you cannot expect me to discover everything in that time. I don’t know how the explosion was caused, neither do I know who the criminals are or were. It would probably take me all day to-morrow to find that out; but as I am leaving the discovery in such competent hands as yours, I must curb my impatience until you send me full particulars. So, once again, good-night, Herr Director.” “No, no, don’t go yet. I shall come at once to the station, if you will be kind enough to stop there until I arrive.” “The Princess von Steinheimer is waiting for me in her carriage outside, and I do not wish to delay her any longer.” “Then let me implore you not to give up your researches.” “Why? Amateur efforts are so futile, you know, when compared with the labours of the regular force.” “Oh, my dear young lady, you must pardon an old man for what he said in a thoughtless moment. If you knew how many useless amateurs meddle in our very difficult business you would excuse me. Are you quite convinced of what you have told me, that the gold is in the rubbish heap?”