Before I could obtain it, the house was closed for the summer and I was
dismissed. I had succeeded, however, in getting an impression of the
desk lock."
"You went back later?"
"Yes. It was a summer day--very hot. The front door was ajar. I
opened it wider. Your aunt sat upon the floor of the hall crying--"
"Yes?"
"I spoke of passing and seeing the door ajar. She recognized me as one
of the servants and begged me to call a taxi. I assisted her to the
taxi and went back, having only pretended to lock the door."
"And having disposed of her," supplied Carl, "you flew up the stairs,
applied the key made from the impression--and stole the paper?"
"Yes."
"Beautiful!" said Carl softly. "How cleverly you tricked me!"
Themar shrugged.
"It was very simple."
Carl smiled.
"Where is the paper now?" he inquired.
Themar's face darkened.
"When later I looked in the pocket of my coat," he admitted, "the paper
had disappeared utterly. Nor have I found it since. It is a very
great mystery--"
"Ah!" said Carl. "So," he mused, "as long as the paper was in my
possession, my life was safe, for you must watch me to find it.
Therefore I was not poisoned or stabbed or shot at during your original
ten days of service.
Pages:
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192