The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-07-20


member Of your family might hnv,
seen you unlock the safe some time
and thus learned the combinationr"
Senior Rodriguez did not quite know
whether to be annoyed at Mr.. Grimm's
persistence, or to admire the tenaSity
with which he held to this one point,
you must understand. Senw
Grimm. that many state documents
are kept in the safe" he said finally,
therefore II is not advisable that any
one should know the combination. I
have made II an absolute rule, as did
my predecessors here, never to un
lock the safe in the presence OF an.
other person"
State documents!" Mr.. Grimm's
lips silently repeated the words. Then
aloud: Perhaps there's a record OF
the combination somewherei II you
had died suddenly, for instance, how
would the safe have been openedT"
There would have been only one
way. Senor-blow 1t open. There Is
no record"
We'll, II we accept all that as true
observed Mr.. Grimm musingly, 1T
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 Il being
unlocked. This last would have been
miracle, and this is not the day of
miracles. therefore,"
Mr.. Grimm's well modulated voice
trailed on into silence. Senior Rodri.
guez came to his feet with blaze Of
anger in his eyes; Mr.. Grimm was
watching him curiously.
Il understand, Senor." said the min.
lister deliberately. that ye~ believe
that IL"
Il believe that you have told the
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 knew It or not at this
time yesterday can't ray. but some
body knows II now"
Senior Rodriguez drew a deep breath
OF relief. The implied accusation had
been withdrawn as pleasantly and
frankly as 1t 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. any safe OF the
kind used at that time--twelve or
fourteen years ago. So you see.
doubt II he would be so successful
with the new models, with AL their
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 Dlaz, my
daughter Inez. and Just at the mo
ment. a Miss Thsrne-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, supposa
We take look at the safer"
Certainly"
Senior Rodriguez started toward thu
closed door just as there came a tim
i'd knock from the hall. He glanced
at Mr.. Grimm. who nodded. then he
called:
Come In"
The door opened. and Miss Thorne
entered. She was clad in some filmy,
gossamer-like morning gown with he.
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.
Il beg your pardon. Senor," she
said, addressing the dIplomatist. II
did not know you we're engaged. And
Mr. Grimm" She extended a slim.
white hand. and the young man bowed
low over it. I'VE are old friends" she
explained. smillngly, to the minister.
Then: Il think l must have dropped
my handkerchief when I was in here
yesterday with Inez. Perhaps you
found it?'
Isl. Senorita," replied Senior Roc
TlgueL guaranty. IL is on my desk
in here. Just a moment"
He opened the door and passed into
the adjoining room. Mr.. Grimm's
eyes met those Of Miss Isabel Ihorne,
and there was no llstlessness in them
now, only interest. She smiled at him
tauntingly and lowered her lids. Senior
Rodriguez appeared from the other
room with the handkerchief.
NH 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"
The safe. please" Mr.. Grimm re-
minded him.
CTo BE CoNTINUED)
"NobIesse ohlige."