Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-10-11

LsO Ouc, OtAOl"nOl d liflu6 oOAA-
Your secretary, for instance?"
Not even my secretary"
Some servant-some member OF
your family?'
Il tell you, Senior, not one person
in all the world knew that combina-
ton except myself" Senior Rodriguez
insisted.
Your Secretary servant-some
member of your family might have
seen you unlock the safe some time,
and thus learned the combination?
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 Is not advisable that any
one should know the combination. |
have made it an absolute rule, as did
my predecessors here, never to un-
lock the safe in the presence of an
other person"
State documentsl" Mr. Grimm's
lips silently repeated the words. Then
aloud: Perhaps there's a record Of
the combination somewhere? II you
had died suddenly, for instance, how
would the safe have been opened?"
There would have been only one
way. Senor-blow it open. There is
no record"
We'll, if 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
unlocked This last would have been
miracle. and this is not the day Of
miracles, therefore,"
Mr.. Grimm'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.
81 understand, Senior" said the min
lister deliberately, that you believe
that II"
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 I can't say, but some
body knows it now"
Senior Rodriguez drew 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been withdrawn as pleasantly and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, any safe of the
kind used at that time-twelve or
fourteen years ago. So you see. !
doubt if he would be so successful
with the new models, with all 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 Diaz, my
daughter Inez, and just at the mo-
ment, a 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. Nov, suppose
we take look at the safe7"
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 I'M"
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 if in surprise,
and she paused irresolutely.
81 beg your pardon, Senor.' she
said addressing the diplomatist q
did not know you were engaged. And
Mr.. Grimmi" 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: Il think I must have dropped
my handkerchief when I was in here
yesterday with Inez. Perhaps you
found it?'
"Si, senorita," replied Senior Rod
riguez calamity. 1T 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 Thorne.
and there was no listlessness in them I
now, only interest. She smiled at him !
and lowered her lids. Senior
appeared from the other !
room with the handkerchief.
mil gracias. Senior" she thanked |
him
mo hay de que, Senorita," he re-
turned as he opened the door for her. |
Monsieur Grimm, au revoirl" She (
dropped little curtsey, and still smil
Ing, went out.
"She Is charming, Senor.' the diplo
matist assured him enthusiastically, +