"
"Was there?" 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 stolen?"
"No, Senor. There were only nine packets--they are there yet."
"Contents all right?"
"Yes. I personally looked them over."
Mr. Grimm drew out the packets of papers, one by one. They were all
unsealed save the last. When he reached for that, Senor Rodriguez made a
quick, involuntary motion toward it with his hand.
"This one's sealed," commented Mr. Grimm. "It doesn't happen that you
opened it and sealed it again?"
Senor Rodriguez stood staring at him blankly for a moment, then some
sudden apprehension was aroused, for a startled look came into his eyes,
and again he reached for the packet.
"_Dios mio_!" he exclaimed, "let me see, Senor."
"Going to open it?" asked Mr. Grimm.
"Yes, Senor. I had not thought of it before."
Mr. Grimm rose and walked over to the window where the light was better.
He scrutinized the sealed packet closely. There were three red splotches
of wax upon it, each impressed with the legation seal; the envelope was
without marks otherwise.
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