you; I've never, to the best of my recollection, seen either of you
gentlemen before this pleasant occasion."

"My dear Mr. Harleston," remarked Sparrow, "all your actions at the cab
of the sleeping horse were observed and noted, so why protest?"

"I'm not protesting; I'm simply stating two pertinent facts!" Harleston
laughed.

"We will grant the fact that you've never seen us," said Marston, "but
that you have not got the articles in question, we," with apologizing
gesture, "beg leave to doubt."

"You're at full liberty to search my apartment," Harleston answered.
"I'm not sensitive early in the morning, whatever I may be at night."

"The letter is easy to conceal," was the reply, "and the safe yonder is
an _impasse_ without your assistance."

"The safe is not locked," Harleston remarked. "I think I neglected to
turn the knob. If you will--"

"Don't disturb yourself, I pray," was the quick reply, the revolver
glinting in his hand; "we will gladly relieve you of the trouble."

"I was only about to say that if you try the door it will open for you,"
Harleston chuckled. "Go through it, sir," he remarked to the younger,
"and don't, I beg of you, disturb the papers more than necessary. The
key to the locked drawer is in the lower compartment on the right.
Proceed, my elderly friend, to search the apartment; I'll not balk you.