The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1911-08-08
CHAPTER X.
A Safe OPENING.

care opening.
together they entered the adjoining
room, which was small compared to
the one they had just left. Senior
Rodriguez used 1t as a private Office.
His desk was on their right between
two windows overlooking the same
Pheasant little garden which was Wis.
IDLE from the suite of tiny drawing.
rooms farther along. The safe. a
formidable looking receptacle of black
enameled steel, stood at their left.
closed and locked. The remaining
wall space Of the room was given over
TO oak cabinets. evidently a storage
place Tor the less important legation
papers.
Has any one besides yourself been
In this room today?" Mr.. Grimm in
CURED.
Not soul, Senor," was the reply.
Mr.. Grimm went over and examined
the windows. They were both locked
inside; and there were no marks of
any sort on the stills.
They are Just as left them last
night" explained Senior Rodriguez. 'I
nave not touched them today"
And there's only one door" unused
MT. Grimm, meaning that by which
they had entered. so it would ap-
pear that whoever was here last night
entered through that room. Very
we'll"
he walked around the room once.
opening and shutting the doors of the
CABINETS as he passed, and finally
paused In front of the safe.
What are the first and second fig.
ures OF the combination?" he asked.
Thirty-six. then back to ten"
Mr.. Grimm set the dial at thirtv-six
and then, with his ear pressed closely
against the polished door. turned the
oial slowly back Senior Rodriguez
stood looking on helplessly, but none
the less intently. The pointer read
ten, then nine, eight, seven, five. Mr..
Grimm gazed at 1t thoughtfully. after
which he did it all over again, placidly
and without haste.
NOW, We'll look inside, please" he
requested, rising.
senior Rodriguez unlocked the safe
the while Mr.. Grimm respectfully
turned his eyes away, then pulled the
door wide open. The books had been
piled one on top of another and thrust
INTO various pigeon holes at the ton
Mr.. Grimm understood that this disor-
der was the result of making room at
the bottom for the bulk of gold. and
asked no questions. Instead. he sat
down upon the floor again.
The lock on this private com.
partment at the top is broken" he re-
marked after moment
81, Senior" the diplomatist agreed
Evidently the robbers were not con-
tent with only fifty thousand dollars
In gold-they imagined that some.
thing else of value was hidden there"
Was there?" asked Mr.. Grimm
naively. He didn't look around
Nothing of monetary value" the
senior explained. There were some
important state papers in there-they
are there yet-but no money"
None of the papers was stolen?"
mo. Senior. There were only nina
Oackets-they are there yet"
Contents all right?"
yes. personally looked them
over"
Mr.. Grimm drew out tho packets of
papers, one by one. They were all
unsealed save the last When he
reached for that, Senior Rodriguez
made a quick, involuntary motion to-
ward It with his hand.
This ones sealed" commented Mr..
Grimm. 1T doesn't happen that you
opened It and sealed IL akain?"
Senior Rodriguez stood staring at
him blankly for a moment, then some
sudden apprehension was aroused. for
a startled look came into his eyes. and
again he reached for the packet.
"Dlos mio!" he exclaimed, '1et me
see. Senior"
"Going to open itY" asked Mr..
Grimm.
Yes, senor. I had not thought Of It
before"
Senior Rodriguez opened Il, with
nervous, twitching fingers. Mr.. Grimm
had turned toward the safe again. but
hc heard tho crackie OF parchment as
some document was drawn out OF the
envelope, end then came deep sigh
Of relief. Having satisfied his sudden
fears for the safety OF the paper, what
ever II was the seror placed Il in an
other envelope and sealed II again
With elaborate oare. Mr. Grimm
dropped. Into the swivel chair at the
desk.
senior" he inquired pleasantly,
your daughter and Miss Thorne were
N this room yesterday afternoon?"
Yes replied tho dlplomatist as n
surprised at the question.
What time. please7"
About three o'clock. They were
going cut driving. Why7"
And Just where. please, did you
ooo that handkerchief" continued
Mr.. Grimm.