The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-11-11
CHAPTER K.
A Safe OpenIno.


room, which was small compared to
the one they had just left. Senior
Rodriguez used it as a 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
to oak cabinets, evidently a storage
place for the less important legation
papers.
Has any one besides yourself been
in this room today?" Mr. Grimm in
Quired.
Not a 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 sills.
They are just as I left them last
nigh" explained Senior Rodriguez. 81
have not touched them to-day"
And there's only one door," unused
Mr.. Grimm, meaning that by which
they had entered. $50 1t 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
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 thirty-six
and then, with his ear pressed closely
against the polished door, turned the
dial slowly back. Senior Rodriguez
stood looking on helpless1y, but none
the less intent1y. The pointer read
ten, then nine, eight, seven, five. MI
Grimm gazed at it thoughtfulIy. after
which he did it all over again, pIacidly
and without haste.
Nov, We'll look inside, please" be
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 beer
piled one on top Of another and thrust
into various pigeon holes at the top
Mr.. Grimm understood that this disor
der was the result of making room al
the bottom for the bulk of gold. and
asked no questions. Instead, he sal
down upon the floor again.
''The lock on this private com
partment at the top is broken" he re
marked after a 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. u
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 stoIen?"
mo, Senior. There were only nine
packets-they are there yet"
Contents all right?''
Eyes. I personally looked them
over
Mr.. Grimm drew out the packets OF
papers, one by one, They were al
unsealed save the last When he
reached for that, Senior Rodriguez
made quick, involuntary motion to
ward it with his hand.
'Thfs ones sealed" commented Mr.
Grimm. ut doesn't happen that yol
opened it and sealed it again.
Senior Rodriguez stood staring q
him blankly for moment, then som.
| sudden apprehension was aroused, fol
startled look came into his eyes, anC
again he reached for the packet
''Dios mio!" he exclaimed, 'Iet mi
see. Senor.''
Going to open it," asked MI
Grimm
yes. Senior. I had not thought of /
before"
Senior Rodriguez opened it, Wit
nervous. twitching fingers. Mr.. Grimm
had turned toward the safe again, bu
he heard the crackle Of parchment a
some document wss drawn out Of tn
envelope, and then came a deep sig
Of relief. Having satisfied his sudde,
fears for the safety Of the paper, what
ever 1t was, the senior placed 1t in al
other envelope and sealed it agat
with elaborate care. Mr.. Grimm
dropped into the swivel chair at til
desk
"senor," he inquired pleasant.
your daughter and Miss Thorne wer
In this room yesterday afternoon?"
yes replied the diplonatist as
surprised at the question
what time. pleaseg''
-About three O'Clock They wer
going out driving. Why3"
. and just where. please. did 20
ind that handkerchief" condnus
! Er. Grimm.