Nick tore the page from the block, then
handed the latter to Venner.
"Now, Mr. Venner," said he, "have each of your employees, from first to
last, write his name with pen and ink upon this paper. Don't overlook
one of them, not one, from your bookkeeper down to your office boy. If
Spaulding is still out, get his signature later, and send it to me by
mail. I will wait here while you are thus engaged."
Venner now vaguely perceived Nick's suspicions and design, and he could
not consistently offer any remonstrance. Yet he plainly resented the
idea that any of his clerks could have been guilty of co-operation with
the criminals who had committed the robbery that morning, and his dark
features wore a grim and sullen expression when he took the block of
paper and repaired to his main office.
Nick Carter sat and waited, silently sizing up the case as he then saw
it.
Just as Venner returned with the numerous signatures, Chick also put in
an appearance again, bringing with him the forged order which had been
left at Hafferman's store. Nick merely glanced at it, then thrust it
into his pocket.
"Did you see Boyden?" he inquired of Chick.
"Yes, and spoke with him," nodded Chick.
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