The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-05-19

advisable that anyone should
know the combination. have
made it an absolute rule, as did
my predecessors here, never to
unlock the safe in the presence
Of another person."
state documents" Mr..
Srimm's lips silently REPEATED the
words. Then aloud: perhaps
there's a record of the combina-
lion somewhere? If you had died
suddenly, for instance, how would
the safe have been opened?"
There would have been only
one way, Senor-blow it open.
There is no record"
We'll, if we accept all that as
true" observed Mr.. Grimm mus
ingly, lit would seem that you
either didn't put the money into
the safe at all, or-please sit
down, there's nothing personal
in this-or else the money was
taken out of the safe without il
being unlocked. This last would
have been a miracle, and this is
not the day of miracles, there.
fore-!"
Mr.. Grimm's we'll modulated
voice trailed off into silence. Sen.
or Rodriguez came to his feet
with a blaze of anger in his eyes
Mr.. Grimm was watching him
curiously.
Il understand then, Senor,'
said the minister deliberately
that you believe that Il"
Il believe that you have told
the truth" interrupted Mr.
Grimm placidly; that is, the
truth SO far as you know it. But
you have stated one thing in er.
ror. Somebody besides yourself
does know the combination
they knew it or not al
this time yesterday l can't say
but somebody knows it now"
N'SAoi ieoui Il uSL uT0W u6eI
breath of relief. The implied &C.
cusation had been Withdrawn as
pleasantly and frankly as it had
been put forward.
ran across chap in New
York once. for instance" Mr.
Grimm took the trouble to ex.
plain, who could unlock any safe
is, any safe of the klnu
used at that time-twelve OIL
fourteen years ago. So you see
l doubt if he would be so success
full with the new models, with al
their improvements, but then,
You know he would have made
an ideal burglar, that chap. Now
Senior, who lives here in the Iega.
ton with your"
MY secretary, Senior Diaz, my
daughter Inez. and just at the mo
ment a Miss Thorne-Miss Isabe
Thorne," the senior informed him
Also four servants-two mer
and two women"
I've had the pleasure of meet.
ing your daughter and Miss
Thorne," Mr.. Grimm Informed
him. Now. suppose we take a
look at the safe?"
Certainly"
Senior Rodriguez started toward
the closed door just as there came
a timid knock from the hall. He
glanced at Mr.. Grimm, who nod.
ded, then he called:
Come I'M"
The door opened, and Miss
Thorne entered. She was clad in
some filmy, gossamer-like morn
ing gown, with her radiant hair
up on her white neck. Al
sight of Mr.. Grimm the blue-gray
eyes opened as if in surprise, and
she paused irresolutely.
Il beg your pardon, Senior"
she said, addressing the diplo.
matist. Il did not know you
were engaged. And Mr.. Grimm"
She extended slim, white hand
and the young man bowed low
over it. eve aye old friends"
she explained, smilingly, to the
minister. Then: 81 think
must have dropped my handker.
chief when I was In here yester-
day with 1nez. Perhaps you
found it?"
Isl, Senorita," replied Senior
Rodriguez CALAMITY. "It is on my
desk In here. Just a moment"
He opened the door and passed
into the adjoining room. Mr.
Grimm's eyes met those of Miss
Isabel Thorne, and there was nc
in them now, only in.
terest. She smiled a him taunt.
ingly and lowered her lids. Sen
or Rodriguez appeared from the
other room with the handker.
chief.
MIL gracias, Senor," she
thanked him.
mo hay de que, Senorita," he
returned, as he opened the door
for her.
Monsieur Grimm, au revoir!"
She dropped a. little curtsey, and
still smiling, went out.
"She is charming, senor," the
assured him enthusi-
albeit irrelevantly.
Such vivacity, such personality,
such-such-she is charming"
The safe, please" Mr.. Grimm
him.
x.
A Safe Opening.
Together they entered the adj
Joining room, which was small