time," chuckled the
inspector. "Well done, my boy. Yes, that's Tony when he's dressed up.
The reason you didn't recognize him was because in the other picture he
wasn't. Clothes do not make the man, but wigs, glasses, and things
change him a good deal. That's all, gentlemen. I now have all the
information I wish, and need not detain you."

"I suppose I shall be notified when any news is obtained," said Mr.
Burton, rising. He wasn't used to being dismissed in this curt fashion.
When any dismissing was to be done, it was usually he who did it.

"Yes, sir. As soon as anything definite is known. _Good_ morning!" But
to Christopher he reached out a detaining hand. "You've done uncommonly
well, sonny," he whispered. "Don't worry because you didn't land the
chaps. I'm only thankful you didn't give them the chance to shoot you.
We'll have the birdies yet."

"Shall I have to go to court?"

"Court? Perhaps. But, Lord! A boy that can tell as straight a story as
you needn't fear that. It's not half as bad as being stood up to face
me."

"I didn't mind you at all."

"I'm glad of that. I don't want my job to turn me into an ogre. There
are people who don't feel that way about me." He laughed slyly. "Don't
you fret about being haled into court. Several persons besides ourselves
wish to meet those two distinguished gentlemen we are after. When we get
them they will have to be shipped to Chicago and various other cities.
You stand a slim chance of having any very extensive acquaintance with
them."

The voice of Mr. Burton, who was loitering impatiently outside, was now
heard calling:

"Christopher! Christopher!"

"That's your dad. He's getting tired of cooling his heels in the
corridor. He isn't used to it. Better trot along, sonny. Somebody might
mistake him for a questionable character and run him in."

The inspector's hearty "Haw, haw!" lent to his laughter the suspicion
that he found something intensely humorous about Mr. Christopher Mark
Antony Burton, third, senior partner of the firm of Burton and
Norcross.

CHAPTER V

CHRISTOPHER ASTONISHES HIMSELF

It does not take long for news to travel, and when Christopher entered
the shop the next morning it was to find himself quite a hero. On every
hand clerks saluted him with such greetings as:

"Well, how is Sherlock Holmes to-day?"

"Have you been landing any more bandits, Mr. Christopher?"

"Joined the secret service yet, Master Christopher?"

Poor Ch