The Harrison times., 1911-12-23
ton except myself" senor Rodriguez
insisted.


seen you unlock the safe some time,
and thus learned the combinationf"
Senior Rodriguez did not quite know
whether to be annoyed at Mr.. Grimm's
persistence, or to admire the tenaoity
with which he held to this one point.
you must understand, Senior
Grimm, that many state documents
are kept in the safe" he said finally,
therefore 1t is not advisable tnat any
one should know the combination. /
have made 1t an absolute rule, as did
my predecessors here, never to un'
lock the safe in the presence of an
other person"
State documents" Mr.. Grlmm's
lips silently repeated the words. Then
aloud: Perhaps there's a record Of
the combination somewhere2 If you
had died suddenly, for instance, how
would the safe have been opened?"
There would have been only one
way, Senor-blow 1t open. There Is
no record"
We'll, II we accept all that rs true"
observed Mr.. Grimm musingly, "it
would seem that you either didn't put
the money into the safe at all, or
please sit down, there's nothing per.
sonal In this-or else the money was
taken out Of the safe without 1t being
unlocked. This last would have been
a miracle, and this is not the day =
miracles, therefore,"
Mr. Grimms well modulated voice
trailed off into silence, Senor Rodri.
guez came to his feet with a blaze Of
anger in his eyes; Mr. Grimm was
watching him curiously.
Il understand, Senor," said the min
ister deliberately, 'tha4 soA hAiiACA
that Il"
Il believe that you have told the
truth interrupted Mr. Grimm placid.
ly, that is the truth so far as you
know II, But you have stated one
thing in error Somebody besides your
self doee know the combination.
Whether they knew It or not at this
time yesterday | can't say, but some
body knows It now"
Senior Rodriguez drew n deep breath
Of relief The implied accusation had
been withdrawn as pleasantly and
frankly as II had been put forward
81 ran across a chap IN New York
once for instance" Mr.. Grimm took
the trouble 10 explain, who could un-
lock any safe-that is, any safe Of the
kind used at that time-twelve or
fourteen years ago, So you see. I
doubt If he would be so successful
WITH the new models, with all their
improvements, but then You know
he would have made an Ideal burglar,
that chap Now, senor, who lives here
IN the legation with your"
my secretary Senor DIaz, my
daughter lnez, and Just at the mo,
ment, Miss Thorne-Miss Isabel
Thorne' the senior informed him.
also four seryants-two men and two
women"
"Iyo had the pleasure OF meeting
your daughter and Miss Thorne," Mr..
Grimm Informed him, Nov, suppose
we take look at the safe2"
Certainly"
Senor Rodriguez started toward the
closed door just as there came tim.
Id knock from the hall, He glanced
at Mr. Grimm, who nodded, then he
called;
Come I'M"
The door opened, and Miss Thorpa
entered, She was clad in some fllmy,
gossamer,like morning gown with her
radiant hair caught upon her white
neck, AZ sight Of Mr.. Grimm tho blue.
gray eyes opened as II In surprise.
and she paused irrosolutely,
81 beg your pardon, senor," she
said, addressing the diplomatIst, ~
did not know you were engaged, And
Mr. Grimml" She extended slim,
white hand, and the young man bowed
low over t. 1--WE are old friends" sho
explained smilngly, tG tho minister,
Then; 81 think | must have dropped
my handkerchief when | was IN hero
yesterday with lnez Perhaps you
found lt2'
49, sonorta," replied Senior Rod.
rIgueS gollonuy 1T Ia on my desk
In here, Just n moment"
He opened the door and passed into
tho adjoining room. Mr.. GrImm's
eyes met those Of Miss Isabel Thorno,
and thoro was no llstlossnoss in them
now, only interest She smiled at him
tOuntlngly and lowered her lids, senor
Rodriguez appeared from the other
room with the handkerchief,
Mil graelas senor," she thanked
him
mo hay de que, Sonorita" he NJ
turned, ~ he opened the door for her,
Monsieur Grimm, au revoirl" She
dropped little eurtsey and stlll smil
ing, went out
"sho Is charming, senor," the dipio,
matlst assured him enthusiastically,
albeit irreleyantly Such yivaolty,
such personality, gueh-sueh-sh is
charming"
"Tho safe, please" Mr. Grimm TO.