Chapter 3

"_How does it stand_"

"I've watched and watched and watched," said he, "but I can't pick out
the man. Letters come, orders are given, and those orders are carried
out, but _not by me_. I'm speaking now of investments, or the payment of
large sums; anything which calls for the opening of that safe where the
old man has stuffed away his thousands. Small matters fall to my share.
There is another safe, of which I hold the combination. Child's play,
but the other! It would make both of us independent, and yet leave
something for appearances. But it can't be worked. It stands in front of
a glass door from which the curtain is drawn every night. Every
passerby can look in. If it is opened it must be done in broad daylight
and by the person whom the old man trusts. By that means only would I
get my revenge, and revenge is what I want. He don't trust me, _me_ who
have been with him for seven years and----"

"Drop that, it isn't interesting. The facts are what I want. What kind
of safe is it?"

"The strangest you ever saw. I don't know who made it. There's nothing
on it to show. Nor is there a lock or combination. But it opens. You can
just see the outline of a door. Steel--fine steel, and not so very
large, but the contents----"

"We'll take its contents for granted. How does it stand? On a platform?"

"Yes, one foot from the floor. The platform runs all the way across the
room and holds other things; a table which nobody uses, a revolving
bookcase and a series of shelves, fitted with boxes containing old
receipts and such junk. Sometimes I go through these; but nothing ever
comes of it." He paused, as if the subject were distasteful.

"And the safe is opened?"

"Almost every week. I'm ashamed to tell you the old duffer's methods;
they're loony. But he isn't a lunatic. At any rate, they don't think so
in Wall Street."

"I'll make a guess at his name."

"Not yet. You'll have to swear----"

"Oh, we're both in it. Never mind the heroics. It's too good a thing to
peach on. Me and the manager! I like that. Take it easy till the job's
done, anyway. And now I'll take a fly at the name. It's----"

He had the grace to whisper.