“I saw him this morning,” responded the investigator. “I was hanging around his office up until five
o'clock. It was nearly five when I called my place and got the message to get in touch with you.
Appointment here after eight fifteen. So I followed Legira—”
“Powell,” said Hendrix seriously, “I brought you here to ask your advice. Now, I am doubly glad that
you have come. I suspected that Legira might be playing a double game. Now, I am sure that matters are
not as they should be.
“Legira came here to-day. He behaved in strange fashion, and asked me to maintain secrecy regarding
his visit. He demanded the delivery of certain funds to which he is entitled. I made the arrangements.
“Now, he has left, after spending several hours here. He stated that he had not been at his residence for
the past few days. Yet you tell me.—”
“Legira has been there!” blurted Powell angrily. “I have seen him, right along. You have been deceived
by an impostor!”
“Perhaps,” said Hendrix thoughtfully. “There is also a possibility that you have been deceived.”
“Maybe,” said Powell reluctantly. “But it seems more likely to me that some fellow is trying to put one
over on you. Coming here as Legira—”
In reply, Hendrix lifted two papers from his desk. One was an agreement signed by Alvarez Legira. The
other was the receipt which the consul had signed. The two signatures were identical.
“Legira signed one of those nearly ten days ago,” remarked Hendrix. “He signed the other here, this
afternoon.”
“It's got me beat,” admitted Powell, in a puzzled tone.
“It settles everything in my mind,” remarked Hendrix quietly. “There is no need for us to discuss the
matter further. Legira is guilty of duplicity. Fortunately, I have made arrangements to prevent the delivery
of the funds.”
The financier glanced at the clock. It showed quarter before nine. John Hendrix smiled wisely. He turned
to Jermyn and noted that the man had assumed a listening attitude. Seeing Hendrix glance in his direction,
Jermyn snapped from his reverie.
“Is anything the matter, Jermyn?” quizzed Hendrix.
“Nothing, sir,” replied the man, in an abashed manner. “Just imagination, sir. Thought I heard the front
door open.”
“It would be wise to look, Jermyn.”
When the man had gone on his errand, Hendrix spoke solemnly to Powell.
“If the man who came here is a pretender,” he said, “I must stop him at once. If he is the genuine
Legira—as I feel convinced he is— it shows that the man is engaged in some illicit enterprise. Otherwise,
he would not have some person taking his place during his absence.”
“Why not call his residence?” suggested Powell.
“Not yet,” returned Hendrix. “I have a full fifteen minutes in which to notify Cody at the Baltham Trust to
suspend all negotiations with Legira.”
Jermyn returned as the financier finished speaking. He shook his head to indicate that he had found
nothing amiss.
“The door was closed, sir,” he declared. “I suppose I merely fancied that I heard some one enter.”
“Very good, Jermyn,” said Hendrix. “Pass me that telephone. I have an important call to make
immediately.”
Jermyn obeyed the order. With the telephone in his hand, Hendrix paused long enough to make
