"All the more reason why I should come to you, then," asserted Mr. Ackerman. "I will be at the Manhattan within half an hour. Perhaps if you and your father and your friend have the afternoon free you would like to go to some sort of a show with me after we conclude our business. Since you are here on a holiday you can't be very busy." Stephen's eyes sparkled with merriment. "I don't know whether our friend can go or not," he replied politely, "but I think perhaps Dad and I could; and if we can we should like to very much." "That will be excellent. I will come right along. Not only shall I be glad to get my pocketbook back again but I shall be glad to see you once more. I told you this morning that I had a feeling we should meet some time. Whom shall I ask for at the hotel?" "Stephen Tolman." With a click the boy hung up the receiver. "Mr. Ackerman is coming right down," said he, addressing his father and the detective with a mischievous smile. "He has invited the three of us to go to the matinee with him." "The three of us!" echoed the plain-clothes man. "Yes," returned the lad. "I told him we had a friend with us and so he said to bring him along." "Good heavens!" Donovan ejaculated. Mr. Tolman laughed heartily. "Not all the thieves you arrest take you to a theater party afterward, do they, Officer?" he asked. "I said from the first you were gentlemen," Mr. Donovan asserted with humor. "But couldn't you go?" inquired Steve, quite seriously. "Bless you, no, sonny!" replied the man. "I am from headquarters, you know, and my work is chasing up crooks--not going to matinees." Nevertheless there was an intonation of gentleness in his voice, as he added, "I am obliged to you just the same, for in spite of my calling I am a human being and I appreciate being treated like one." CHAPTER IX AN ASTOUNDING CALAMITY Mr. Ackerman was as good as his word, for within half an hour he presented himself at the hotel where he found Mr. Tolman, Mr. Donovan and Steve awaiting him in their pleasant upstairs room. As he joined them his eye traveled inquiringly from one to another of the group and lingered with curiosity on the face of the detective. The next instant he was holding out his hand to Stephen. "Well, my boy, I am glad to see you again," said he, a ring of heartiness in his voice. "And I am glad to see you, too, Mr. Ackerman," Steve replied, returning the hand-clasp with fervor. "This is my father, sir; and this"--for a second he hesitated, then continued, "is our friend, Mr. Donovan." With cordiality the New Yorker acknowledged the introductions. "Mr. Donovan," explained Mr. Tolman, scanning Mr. Ackerman's countenance with a keen, half-quizzical expression, "is from headquarters." The steamboat magnate started and shot a quick glance at those present. It was plain he was disconcerted and uncertain as to how to proceed. Mr. Donovan, however, came to his rescue, stepping tactfully into the breach: