I could wish you did. I don't want to wake up some night and
find a burglar going off with my treasures. What did you say this one
took--a notebook?"

"Yes."

"What's the idea? Who wants an old notebook?"

"Exactly what I'm asking myself, Ocky." Simon sent a sideways look at
the old butler as if reluctant to speak too openly. "It was full of
important data relative to tanning processes. Not much of a loss to
me, for I know 'em all by heart--but it might be extremely useful to
any one else in the business or--or to any one who might be expecting
to go into it--" His voice trailed off as if he were lost in some
thought that had just struck him. "Humph!" he grunted.

"What is it?" demanded Ocky alertly.

"Nothing--nothing to be discussed now, anyway. Bates!"

"Sir?" The butler had just finished lighting the lamp on the center
table and he glanced at Varr with expressionless face. "Yes, sir?"

"Stop fiddling with that lamp. There's nothing to be done to-night.
And look here--I don't want this business mentioned to the other
servants or any one else until I have decided just what action I shall
take. Understand? Go to bed, then,--and I hope you stay there this
time!"

"One moment, Bates." Miss Ocky had moved over to the table and was
contemplating it with thoughtful gaze. "Simon--what sort of an
implement would have forced that desk of yours? A knife, for instance?"

"Yes, that would have done the trick. It could have been slipped under
the top near the lock; a slight pressure would have done the rest."

"I like a lock that is a lock," sniffed Miss Ocky.

"A matter of taste, I suppose. Bates, you know that Persian dagger of
mine I've been using here lately for a paper-cutter? When did you see
it last?"

"This evening, Miss Ocky."

"Sure?"

"Yes, Miss Ocky. I was straightening up in here just after you went to
your room the first time, and I knocked the book you had been reading
on to the floor. When I picked it up, the dagger fell out. I knew I'd
lost your place and was sorry, but I couldn't do anything to find it
again so I just laid the dagger down beside the book--right here." He
indicated a perfectly blank spot on the table and looked mystified.

"I came down for the book just before one o'clock--couldn't seem to get
to sleep," explained Miss Ocky musingly. "The dagger was not here
then--but it didn't occur to me to raise the house about it. I took it
for granted there was so