"I tell you what I think we had better do," he suggested. "I propose
that we leave the automobile here and go up to the house on foot.
Three of us will go in, while Miss Berwick and Mr. Wilson will stay
out of sight at the side of the house until they get the sign to
enter. The surprise may lead to confession and restitution if properly
managed."
The others signified their consent to this and proceeded toward the
house. Miss Berwick and her lawyer stood at the side, where they could
not be seen from the door, and the inspector, followed by the boys,
mounted the steps and rang the bell.
There was a moment's delay and then the door opened. A short thick-set
man stood there with his hand on the knob. He wore large horn glasses,
which may have been because of defective sight or possibly as a
disguise. The eyes behind the glasses were furtive and shifty, and
the mouth was mean and avaricious.
"Is this Mr. Reddy?" asked the inspector politely.
"Th-th-that's my name," answered the man. "W-what can I do
f-f-for you?"
"That depends," replied Mr. Brandon. "I called to see you on a matter
of business. May I come in?"
The man eyed his visitors with a look of apprehension and annoyance,
but finally assented with a nod of his head and led the way into a
small and meagerly furnished living room.
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