The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-07-27
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 II as a private office.
His desk was on their right between
two windows overlooking the same
pleasant little garden which was Wis
tble 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 stills.
They are Just as l left them last
night" explained Senior Rodriguez. II
have not touched them today"
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
we'll"
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. 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 empioyed--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 FIX.
ures Of the combination?" he asked.
"Thlrty-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. 1--WE. Mr..
Grimm gazed at II thoughtfully, after
which he did 1t all over again. placidly
and without haste.
Now. we'll look inside. please" he
requested, rising.
Senior Rodriguez unlocked the safe
the while MFR. Grimm respectfully
turned his eyes away. then pulled the
door wide open. The books had been
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 at
the bottom for the bulk OF gold, and
asked no questions. Instead, he sat
down upon the floor again.
Tho lock on this private COM
partment at the top is broken" he re-
marked after n 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 therer asked Mr.. Grimm
naively He didn't look around.
Nothing of monetary value" the
senor explained. There were some
important state papers In there-they
are there yet-but no money"
None OF the papers was stolenY"
mo. Senior. Thare were only nine
packets-they are Shere yet"
Contents all righty"
Yes. Y personally looked them
over"
Mr.. Grimm drew out the packets OF
papers. one by one. They were all
uosoaled save the last. When be
reached for that. Senior Rodriguoz
made q quick. involuntary motion to-
gard II with lis hand.