Langham paused and glanced again in the direction of the gambler, but
Gilmore seemed to have lost all interest in what was passing.

Moxlow turned to Conklin.

"You found no such sum as Mr. Langham mentions, either on the person of
the dead man, or in the safe?"

"No, the safe doors were standing open; as far as I am able to judge,
the valuable part of its contents had been removed," replied the
sheriff.

"How about McBride himself?"

"We found nothing in his pockets."

"Of course, if he bought North's bonds, that would account for a part of
the sum Mr. Langham has just told us of," said Moxlow. "But where are
the bonds?" he added.

"They were not among McBride's papers, that's sure," said the sheriff.

"Probably they were taken also, though it's hardly conceivable that the
murderer waited to sort over the papers in the safe. I tell you,
gentlemen, his position was a ticklish one." It was the coroner who
spoke.

"It would seem a very desirable thing to communicate with North,"
suggested Moxlow.