I have
communicated with this man to-day, for I saw the possibility of just
such a thing as this instead of your stethoscope. By a trick and a
forged letter this girl obtained the combination from this man."
Mr. Grimm drew a long breath.
"She intended to take, perhaps, only what she desperately needed--but at
sight of it all--do you see what must have been the temptation then? We
get out here."
There were many unanswered questions in Mr. Grimm's mind. He repressed
them for the time, stepped out and assisted Miss Thorne to alight. The
carriage had turned out of Pennsylvania Avenue, and at the moment he
didn't quite place himself. A narrow passageway opened before
them--evidently the rear entrance to a house possibly in the next
street. Miss Thorne led the way unhesitatingly, cautiously unlocked the
door, and together they entered a hall. Then there was a short flight of
stairs, and they stepped into a room, one of a suite. She closed the
door and turned on the lights.
"The bags of gold are in the next room," she said with the utmost
composure.
Mr. Grimm dragged them out of a dark closet, opened one--there were
ten--and allowed the coins to dribble through his fingers.
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