thing last night."

"She DID! And you never said a word?"

"I didn't know what to say. I heard her go and I looked out of the
window and saw her. She come back about three. I thought sure she'd
speak of it this mornin', but she didn't and--and--But tonight I watched
again and--Shadrach, she's taken the store keys. Anyhow, they're gone
from the nail."

The Captain wiped his forehead. "She's gone to the store, then," he
muttered. "Jumpin'! That's a relief, anyhow. I was afraid--I didn't
know--Whew! I don't know WHAT I didn't know! But what on earth has she
gone to the store for? And last night too, you say?"

"Yes. Shadrach, I've been thinkin' and all I can think of is
that--that--"

"Well--what?"

"That--that she suspicions how things are with us--somebody that does
suspicion has dropped a hint and she has--has gone up to--"

"To do what? Chuck it overboard! Speak it out! To do what?"

"To look at the books or somethin'. She knows the combination of the
safe, you recollect."

Captain Shadrach's eyes and mouth opened simultaneously. He made a dive
for the hooks on the bedroom wall.