"If that handkerchief had been there last night, Señor," he resumed
quietly, "wouldn't you have noticed it when you placed the gold in the
safe?"

Señor Rodriguez stared at him a long time.

"I don't know," he said, at last. He dropped back into a chair with his
face in his hands. "Señor," he burst out suddenly, impetuously, after a
moment, "if the gold is not recovered I am ruined. You understand that
better than I can tell you. It's the kind of thing that could not be
explained to my government." He rose suddenly and faced the impassive
young man, with merciless determination in his face. "You must find the
gold, Señor," he said.

"No matter who may be--who may suffer?" inquired Mr. Grimm.

"Find the gold, Señor!"

"Very well," commented Mr. Grimm, without moving. "Do me the favor,
please, to regain possession of the handkerchief you just returned to
Miss Thorne, and to send to me here your secretary, Señor Diaz, and your
servants, one by one. I shall question them alone. No, don't be alarmed.
Unless they know of the robbery they shall get no inkling of it from me.
First, be good enough to replace the packet in the safe, and lock it."

Señor Rodriguez replaced the packet without question, afterward locking
the door, then went out. A moment later Señor Diaz appeared. He remained
with Mr. Grimm for just eight minutes. Señor Rodriguez entered again as
his secretary passed on, and laid a lace handkerchief on the desk. Mr.