The detective laughed. “Better drop that thing and chuck up the sponge like a good boy, hadn’t you, Larry? I always felt that you were too clever. I’m disappointed in you.”

“Crazy with the heat,” observed Hughes to Mrs. Gertstein. “I don’t quite get the joke, Labar. Won’t you elucidate?”

“The answer will be apparent quite soon,” retorted the detective. “I knew you had audacity, but I didn’t think you were quite so childish. When you went to pick up that letter there would be plenty of my men about, and I had taken the precaution of keeping a police car where they could get at it handily. Do you suppose they’ve not been busy? I’ll bet that they’ve been right on top of you all the way down. You’re a gone coon, Larry. You’re in a trap.”