The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-07-20
CHAPTER X.
A Safe OPENING.

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 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.
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 storage
place for 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 sills.
They are just as | left them last
night" explained Senor Rodriguez. Il
have not touched them today"
And there's only one door" unused
Mr.. Grimm, meaning that by which
they had entered. so 1t would ap-
pear that whoever was here last night
entered through that room. Very
we'll"
lie 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.
Ihirty-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 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 1t 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
Ihto various pigeon holes at the top.
Mr' Grimm understood that this disor.
DER was the result OF making room at
'he 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 a moment
81 Senor," the diplomatist agreed.
Evidently the robbers were not con.
tent with only fifty thousand dollars
IN gold-they imagined that some.
'nluB else OF value was hidden there"
Was there?" asked Mr.. Grimm
haiyely' He didn't look around
Nothing of monetary value" the
sehor explained. There were some
important state papers in there-they
are there yet-but no money"
None of the papers was stoienY"
NO. senor There were only nine
paekets-they are there yet"
Contents all right?"
yes. | persona,Iv ,oo,,os
over" '"eN'
MI Grimm drew out the packets of
papers, one by one. They were all
unSealed save the last. When he
reached for that, Senior Rodriguez
maue quick, involuntary motion to-
ward 1t with his hand.
MS ones sealed" commented Mr..
urlInm' ut doesn't happen that you
opened It and sealed It again?"
Senor Rodriguez stood staring Mt
n'n olankly for a moment, then some
suuueh apprehension was aroused. for
startled look came into his ewes. and
"salh he reached for the packet.
Dlos miol" he exclaimed .Iet m.
see Senor.' ' '
Grimm. "0u '''
before" W 'e"' VI -
senior Rodriguez opened It, with
a hSe.Vous' twitching fingers. Mr.. Grimm
u turned toward the safe again, but
e neard the crackle of parchment as
oOle document was drawn out of the
Envelope and then came a deep sigh
VI relief Having satisfied his sudden
ears for the safety of the paper. what.
o, eyer 1t was the senior placed 1t In an
w,n er envelope and sealed Il again
WIN elaborate care. Mr.. Grimm
desk. '""A a' 'ne
e. oenor'' he inquired pleasantly,
your daughter and Miss Thorne were
,nis room yesterday afternoon?"
YES" replied the diplomatist as II
surprised at the question.
What time, please7"
ABOUT three O'Clock. They were
sung out driving. why?"
A., and Just where, please, did you
~" M mat handkerchief? continued