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. He turned and twisted it aimlessly, and peered
curiously at the various seals, after which he handed it to the frankly
impatient diplomatist.

Senor Rodriguez opened it, with nervous, twitching fingers. Mr. Grimm
had turned toward the safe again, but he heard the crackle of parchment
as some document was drawn out of the envelope, and then came a deep
sigh of relief. Having satisfied his sudden fears for the safety of the
paper, whatever it was, the senor placed it in another envelope and
sealed it again with elaborate care. Mr. Grimm dropped into the swivel
chair at the desk.

"Senor," he inquired pleasantly, "your daughter and Miss Thorne were in
this room yesterday afternoon?"

"Yes," replied the diplomatist as if surprised at the question.

"What time, please?"

"About three o'clock. They were going out driving. Why?"

"And just where, please, did you find that handkerchief?" continued Mr.
Grimm.

"Handkerchief?" repeated the diplomatist. "You mean Miss Thorne's
handkerchief?" He paused and regarded Mr. Grimm keenly. "Senor, what am
I to understand from that question?"

"It was plain enough," replied Mr. Grimm. "Where did you find that
handkerchief?" There was silence for an instant. "In this room?"

"Yes," replied Senor Rodriguez at last.

"Near the safe?" Mr. Grimm persisted.

"Yes," came the slow reply, again. "Just here," and he indicated a spot
a little to the left of the safe.

"And _when_ did you find it? Yesterday afternoon? Last night? This
morning?"

"This morning," and without any apparent reason the diplomatist's face
turned deathly white.

"But, Senor--