cion. Still, to make doubly sure, I am going to
alter the combination once more, and share it with someone outside of the
business department. And as you have impressed me very favorably, I have
chosen you.

"That is, of course," concluded the manager, "if you have no objection."

"Certainly not. I am sure I appreciate the confidence, sir," said Jack
quickly.

"Very well, then. The combination is 'Right twenty, twice; back nine;
right ten.' Can you remember that? For you must not write it down, you
know."

Jack repeated the number several times; and again thanking the manager
for the compliment, continued up-stairs to the telegraph-room.

Two mornings later Jack was again called into Mr. Black's office. For a
moment, while Jack wondered, the manager eyed him strangely, then asked,
"What was that combination, Jack?"

"Right ninety--no, right thirty--Why, I believe I have forgotten it,
sir," declared Jack in confusion.

"Perhaps you have forgotten this too, then?" As he spoke the manager took
from his desk a small notebook. "I found it on the floor in front of the
safe this morning."

"It is mine, sir. I must have dropped it last night. I worked extra until
after midnight, sir," explained Jack, "and on the way out I chased a
mouse in here from the stairway, and when it ran under the safe I dropped
to my knees to find it. The book must have fallen from my pocket.

"But what is wrong, sir?"

"The cash-box is not in the safe this morning."

Jack started back, the color fading from his cheeks as the significance
of it all came to him.

"And now you pretend to have the combination entirely wrong," went on the
manager.

Jack found his voice. "Mr. Black, you are mistaken! You are mistaken! I
never could do such a thing! Never!"

"I would prefer proof," Mr. Black said coldly.

Jack caught at the idea. "Would you let me try to prove it, sir? Will you
give me a week in which to try and clear myself?"

"Well, I did not mean it that way. But, all right--a week. And if things
do not look different by that time, and you still claim ignorance, you
will have to go. That is all there is to it."

"Thank you, sir."

At the door Jack turned back. "Mr. Black, you are positive you returned
the box to the safe?"

"Positive. It is the last thing I do before going home."

During spare moments on his wire that morning Jack debated the mystery
from every side. Finally he had boiled it down to two conflicting facts:

"Fir