weapon loose and, jumping down, turned to the desk, thrust
the point of the sword between the writing-pad and the edge of the
roll-top, forced the blade well in, and bore all his weight upon the
haft of this improvised jimmy. Promptly, with a sound of rending wood,
the top flew half-way up.

At this the man released the sword, which fell with a thump to the rug
at his feet, pushed the top as far back as it would go, and, bending
over the desk, explored its rack of pigeonholes and drawers. One of
the latter eventually yielded the object of his search; he took from
it first a small automatic pistol, which he placed carelessly to one
side, then a small leather-bound book whose pages he thumbed in
nervous haste, evidently seeking some memorandum essential to his
ends. This found, he paused, conned it attentively for an
instant, then turned and took the book with him across the room beyond
the bookcase, thus vanishing from the field of Sally's vision.

Now was her chance to slip down-stairs and, undetected, away. But,
surprisingly enough, she proved of two minds about advantaging herself
of the opportunity. To begin with, she was no more afraid--at least,
not to any great extent. What, she argued scornfully, was one man,
after all?--especially one who had no more lawful business than she
upon those premises! She wasn't afraid of men; and even were this one
to catch her watching him (something Sally meant to take good care he
shouldn't) he could hardly denounce her to the police. Besides, what
_was_ he up to, anyhow, over there in that corner, out of sight? She
simply had to know the meaning of those noises he was making.

They were difficult to diagnose--an odd whirring sound broken by
repeated muffled clanks and by several others as baffling, notably a
muted metallic knocking and rattling.

She experienced an exasperating effect of trying to see round a
corner.

But in the end she identified those sounds beyond mistake: the man was
fretting the combination of a safe, pausing now and again to try the
handle. For what, indeed, had he forced that desk if not to find
the combination?

In due course the noises ceased and the malefactor re-appeared,
bringing with him a morocco-bound box of good size. She made no doubt
whatever that this was a jewel-case, and took his smile for
confirmation of her surmise, though it was really less a smile than
satisfaction twitching the full lips beneath his dark little moustache
(one of