"Do any of you know of an order sent out by Mr. Venner this morning?"
he inquired, addressing the several clerks at work in the office. "An
order to Thomas Hafferman for ten diamonds."

Only a girl stenographer, seated at a typewriter near the office door,
replied:

"I think Mr. Venner sent Spaulding out about half an hour ago, sir," she
replied. "I saw him give Spaulding several letters."

"Ah, doubtless it's all right enough," bowed Garside; "yet I wonder that
I had heard nothing about it. Joseph, has Spaulding been here within a
few minutes?"

"No, sir," replied the clerk, the same who had at first been questioned.
"I saw him go out just before Mr. Venner departed, and he has not yet
returned."

Garside had now reached the middle of the store again, where Boyden was
still waiting.

"Are you quite sure that the order came from Mr. Venner?" he again
inquired. "How long ago was the messenger at your store?"

"About half an hour ago, sir," Boyden readily answered. "The order was,
I presume, signed by Mr. Venner."

"Was it our man Spaulding who delivered the order? Do you know him by
sight?"