Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-09-15

ton except myself" Senior Rodrigue.
insisted.
your secretary-a servant-some
member Of your family might have
seen you unlock the safe some time.
and thus learned the continuation
Senior Rodriguez did not quite know
whether to be annoyed at Mr.. Grimm's
persistence. or to admire the tenacity
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 10 not advisable that any
one should know the combination. I
have made It an absolute rule. as did
my predecessors here, never to un-
look the safe in the presence Of an
other person"
State documentsi"'~ Mr.. Grimm's
lips silently repeated the words. Thsn
aloud: Perhaps there's q record Of
the combination somewheref II you
had died suddenly, for instance. how
would the safe have been openedr
There would have been only one
way, senor-blow It open. There IL
no record"
well, II we accept all that as true"
observed Mr.. Grimm musingly, at
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 It being
unlocked. This last would have been
miracle. and this 10 not the day Of
miracles, therefore,"
Mr.. Qrimm's well modulated voice
trailed of into silence. Senior Rodri.
guez came to his feet with a blaze Of
anger in his eyes: Mr.. Grimm was
watching him curiously.
Il understand, senor." said tho min
lister deliberately. that you believe
that IL"
II believe that you have told tho
truth" interrupted Mr.. Grimm placid
ly, that Is the truth SO far as you
know It But you have stated one
thing in error. Somebody besides your
self does know the combination.
Whether they know It or not at this
time yesterday can't say, but some
body knows It now"
Senior Rodriguez drew a deep breath
of relief. The implied accusation had
been withdrawn as pleasantly and
frankly as It had been put forward.
Il ran across a chap in New York
once. for instance" Mr.. Grimm took
the trouble to explain. who could I'M
lock any safe-that is. anv safe of the
kind used at that time twelve or
fourteen years ago. So you see. I
doubt II he would be SO successful
| wi ha 1T
improvements. but then! You know
he would have made an ideal burglar.
that chap. Now. Senior. who lives here
in the legation with your"
MY secretary, Senior Diaz, my
daughter Inez, and Just at the mo-
ment. Miss Thorne-Miss Isabel
Thorne." the senior informed him.
ALSO four servants-two men and two
women"
| I've. had the pleasure of meeting
your daughter and Miss Thorne." Mr..
Grimm informed him. Now, suppose
we take look at the safef"
Certainly"
Senior Rodriguez started toward the
closed door Just as there came a-tim.
Id knock from the hall. He glanced
at Mr.. Grimm. who nodded, then he
called:
Come in!"
The door opened. and Miss Thorns
entered. She was clad in some filmy,
| gossamer-like morning gown with her
radiant hair caught upon her white
neck. At sight of Mr.. Grimm the blue
gray eyes opened as II in surprise.
and she paused irresolutely.
II beg your pardon. Senor," she
said, addressing the diplomatist. 81
did not know you were engaged And
| Mr.. Grimm" She extended a slim,
white hand. and the young man bowed
| low over 1t. I'VE are old friends" she
| explained. smilingly. to the minister.
Then: II think l must have dropped
my handkerchief when I was In here
yesterday with Inez. Perhaps you
| found it,"
Isl. Senorita." replied Senior Rod
riguez CALAMITY. ut is on my desk
in here. Just moment"
He opened the door and passed into
the adjoining room. Mr.. Grimm's
eyes met those of Miss Isabel Thorne,
and there was no listlessness in them
now, only interest. She smiled at him
tauntingly and lowered her lids. Senior
Rodriguez appeared from the other
room with the handkerchief.
NIL gracias. Senor," she thanked
him.
mo hay de que. senorita," he re-
turned. as he opened the door for her.
Monsieur Grimm. au revoir!" She
dropped little curtsey, and still smil.
| ing, went out.
"She is charming. senor," the diplo-
matist assured him enthusiastically.
albeit irrelevantly. Such vivacity.
such personality. such-such-she is
charming"