"
"What is that?"
"It seems to me it must have been what the police at home call 'an
inside job'; because whoever it was apparently knew the combination of
the safe."
"You mean it wasn't broken open. That signifies nothing. I've never
seen yours, but I know something about safes, and I'll undertake to
open it without the combination within ten minutes."
"You, Monsieur Duchemin?"
He nodded gloomily. "It's no great trick, once one knows it; with an
ordinary safe, that is, such as you're apt to find in a private home.
Have you looked for finger-prints?"
"Not yet."
"Have you any idea how the thieves broke in?"
"Through this very window, I imagine. You see, I was up early and, in
my agitation, dressed hurriedly and came downstairs hours before I
usually do. The servants were already up, but hadn't opened the living
rooms for the day. I myself found this window unlatched. The fastening
is insecure, you see; it has been out of order for some time."
Duchemin was on his feet, examining the latch. "True," he said; "but
might not the wind--?"
"There was no wind to speak of last night, monsieur, and what there was
didn't blow from that quarter.
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