The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-20
CHAPTER VI
THE FINGER OF SUSPICION
HERE followed. i'm veriest trut

minutes.
Narshheld sat leaning forward. tense.
staring and apparently half petrificd
with his discovery.
Mr.. HungerfOrd had dropped back
into the depths Of his big armchair and.
with hands clutchlng the sides and
amazed eyes staring wildly, was max
ing violent effort to regain his wonted
calm.
For Mr.. Bovine. that gentleman also
possessed wide-open eyes, but they were
altogether calm. Bovine was as used to
Shocks-Or possibly. other peoples
shocks-as the average man to his
breakfast cup of coffee; but this par
ticUlar one very plainly interested him
markedly.
Hungerford was the first "a break the
silence
"Marshfield-' he said, hoarseIy
ou're-you're mistaken
II may be, sir, but
thoroughly
''Of course not, in ten minutes. 1t
would take nearer ten hours TO cover
he whole thing, sir
Then"
But without checking it up, MT.
Hungerford, I have pretty definite
idea of everything that was in there
and just where everything was. and
Hungerford sat up with a bound
But a general idea
SIarshfield held up hand for silence.
"A general idea may not be much
sood as a general thing, SIR he said
quietly But 1 know where the most
IL
are gone-and when find every com
partment open and empty Of the small
est scrap of paper"
Have they been forced - Bovine in
terjected suddenly.
They have notl'
well
Every one of them has been opened
with a key, Mr.. Hungerford-"
Hungerford's teeth shut with click
NIarshfeld looked at him with a very
cry. strained smile. Bovine straight
ened up and hitched his coat collar
into position with:
Il think we may as well have a look
at your vault, Mr.. Hungerford. The
time seems to be about ripe for ac-
ton"
Very well. Any one down there,
Narshfield?"
mo one, sir. The two clerks are at
safety deposit end"
Come on, then" The president
glanced In the mirror over his desk,
and several dozen wrinkles abruptly dis
appeared Just keep your face as calm
as possible. Marshheld. There's no need
Of creating any excitement. just yet
YOU know"
Smningly, then, the three emerged
from the Office and sauntered toward
the marble stairway that led 10 the
treasure house below. The smiles dis
ppea red, degree by degree. step by
step. until at the bottom three anxious
faces were locking through the big
barred gate that let into the bank S
private security domain.
Marshheld showed IL open quickly, and
they passed through. The click Of q
switch, and a single incandescent Elis-
tened amid steel walls, a dozen feet
ahead-and that light was glistening
through the open door Of a safe that
had no mortal business to become &C
cessible before ninei
With a rush Hungerford pushed the
other two aside and entered IN some
what cyclone fashion
He stared about the vault for min
ute. then:
Push that door nearly together.
Marshheld. Then turn on the rest Of
the lights Come in here, BOVINE
The detective accepted the invitation
swiftly. Side BIZ side with the president
he watched the ponderoUs door come
nearer and nearer to its Jamb. Then
The lights flashed out suddenly and they
looked about
Straight ahead the door Of a locked
compartment stood wide open, and the
glistening steel box was as bare as the
day the safe maker had put II in place.
To the left. and side by side, two more
slabs Of thick steel swung freely on
their hinges. revealing the same cheer
\ less emptiness
Hungerford drew long. long breath.
''NlarshheldT' he called
Yes. sir."
Are you absolutely certain that all
the negotiable paper was in herein
Unless you changed II yourself yes
Did you attsnd to locking IT up
last nfght?'
Yes, sir"
Hungerford's hands clenched.
Turn out the lights Marshdeld," he
said. sharply. wen 20 upstairs again,
7 think
Hold on It was Bovine who spoke
now
"WeUT,
II want 10 look at that 1imeloclz. II
YOU don't mind" said the detective.
''I don't know much about timelocks.
but"
He went to the piece Of mechanism
and studied It intently for many sec
Onds
The time for releasing tho bolts is
indicated On the clock dial here, isn't
itc' he asked.
Certainly"
Wen. I'll have 10 come down and
look over this later" said Mr. Bovine.
Lets 90 upstairs now and talk things
over" He turned 70 the cashier: Don't
fix that that vault 50 that we can't get
INTO A., Mr.. Marshfeld. please. may
want 10 inspect things IN a little while"
MarshheId bowed and snapped off the
lights. I3ungerford led the way up-
stairs. and a minute or so later he and
Bovine were again IN the private Office.
FTHE GO