“Equally out of the question,” said Mantell decidedly. “We employ about nine hundred clerks, but they have absolutely no opportunity for thefts of such character and magnitude. It would be impossible for them to take the goods from the store without being detected. We have had them closely watched, nevertheless, since these daily robberies were first discovered, but we have failed to detect a single thief among our employees.” “You have store detectives, of course?” said Nick inquiringly. “Yes, on every floor.” “Have they accomplished anything?” “So little, Mr. Carter, that we put the case into the hands of half a dozen headquarters men about two months ago. Their work has been equally futile. Not a piece of the stolen goods has been traced. Not a clew has been found pointing to the identity of the crooks, or the way in which the thefts were committed.” “That seems very strange,” Nick remarked. “Strange is right, chief, and then some,” put in Patsy. “There must be a bunch of clever ginks at work along new and original lines.” “That seems to be about the size of it,” Nick added. “And that is precisely how the matter stands,” Frank Mantell continued. “As I said in the beginning, Mr. Carter, you are the man of last resort. All others have failed, and we now turn to you for advice and assistance. I think we should have done so at the outset. It would have saved us a barrel of money.” “You seem to feel sure that I shall succeed in solving the mystery,” smiled Nick. “Frankly, Mr. Carter, I do,” Mantell rejoined. “Success seems to be one of your invariable acquirements. I feel that it will prove so in this case.” “Providing I decide to take the case.” “I hope you will not demur over that.” “Let me ask you a few questions,” said Nick, drawing up in his chair and dropping his burned cigar into a cuspidor. “Are any headquarters men now at work on the case?” “No, sir. We dropped the last of them to-day.” “Your store detectives still are at work?” “Only in line with their customary duties. They would not in any way interfere with your work.” “I would not permit them to do so,” Nick said, a bit dryly. “It would be even better, perhaps, if they were ignorant of my interest in the matter. Who besides you knows of your intention to employ me on the case?” “Only my father, Mr. Goulard, and Mr. Lombard. My father and I look after the correspondence and the financial end of the business. Mr. Goulard and Mr. Lombard have entire charge of operations in the store. Goulard is, of course, the chief director. We decided this afternoon to appeal to you for aid. No one else is informed of our intention.” “Make it a point, then, to inform no one else,” Nick replied. “I will at least look into the matter and see what I can make of it.” “Ah. I am glad to hear that.” “Now, Mr. Mantell, when did you first suspect this system of wholesale robbery and begin to investigate it?” Nick inquired.