The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-09-01
CHAPTER x.
A safe OPENING.


Together they entered the adjoining
room, which was small compared to
the one they had just left Senior
Rodriguez used 1t as private Office.
His desk was on their right between
two windows overlooking the same
pleasant little garden which was Wis
ible 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
70 oak cabinets. evidently a storage
place for the less important legation
papers.
HAS any one besides yourself been
hn this room today?" Mr. Grimm in
luired.
Not q soul, Senor," was the reply.
Mr. Grimm went over and examined
me windows. They were both locked
bnside; and there were no marks Of
any sort on the stills.
They are Just as I left them last
hight" explained Senior Rodriguez. 81
have not touched them to-day"
And there's only one door," unused
MI. Grimm, meaning that by which
they had entered. $50 it would ap-
pear that whoever was here last night
entered through that room. Very
well"
He walked around the room once,
opening and shutting the doors of the
Icabtnots as he passed. and finally
paused in front Of the safe A brief
examination OF the nickeled dial and
handle and of the enameled edges of
the heavy doors satisfied him that no
force had been employed-the safe
had merely been unlocked. Where
upon he sat himself down. cross-legged
on the floor, In front Of It.
What are the first and second fig.
nres Of the combination" he asked.
'Thirty.six, then back to ten."
Mr.. Grimm set the dial at thirty-six.
and then. with his ear pressed closely
against the polished door. turned the
dial slowly back. Senior Rodriguez
1tcod looking on helplessly, but none
the less intently. The pointer read
ten, then nine, eight, seven, i've. Mr..
Grimm gazed at 1t thoughtfully. after
which he did Il all over again. placidly
and without haste.
Now, wen 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
pnto 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
nartment at the top is broken" he re-
marked after moment.
Isl. Senor," 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 nine
packets-they are there yet"
Contents all right?"
yes. personally looked than
over"
Mr.. Grimm drew out the packets Of
papers, one by one. They were all
unsealed save the last. When he
reached for that, Senior Rodriguez
made quick, involuntary motion TO
ward It with his hand.
This ones sealed" commented M.