"Yes," continued the newcomer, coming forward on the landing as though he had a perfect right there, "I'll soon get action here. You are the town marshal, I believe?"
"That's right," nodded the officer, regarding the speaker in some wonderment.
"Well, I am a post-office inspector. Came on a telegram. Got the birds caged in there? Give me a few facts, will you?"
The marshal briefly recited his suspicions and the case of Halsey. The inspector as tersely told of a telegram the post-office department had received, exposing the operations of the United States Mail Order House. Frank at once decided that Stet was its author.
"No dilatory fraud order case here," observed the inspector briskly. "It's got to be a raid, I see. Here, let me have a try. In there!" called out the official in a loud tone of voice, pounding on the door panels, open in the name of the law, or we shall be obliged to use force."
There was no response whatever to this mandatory challenge. The Inspector placed his ear to the door. Then he said sharply.
"Watch out close. I will be back at once."
"He's brought the locksmith with him," announced the marshal a few minutes later, peering
