pretended to consider the bag of little consequence, and turned
hopefully to an investigation of the room.

The right-hand upper drawer of the double-pedestalled desk was
open. Seemingly, Mr. Crawford had been engaged with its contents
during the latter moments of his life.

At a glance, I saw the drawer contained exceedingly valuable and
important papers.

With an air of authority, intentionally exaggerated for the
purpose of impressing Parmalee, I closed the drawer, and locked
it with the key already in the keyhole.

This key was one of several on a key-ring, and, taking it from
its place, I dropped the whole bunch in my pocket. This action
at once put me in my rightful place. The two men watching me
unconsciously assumed a more deferential air, and, though they
said nothing, I could see that their respect for my authority had
increased.

Strangely enough, after this episode, a new confidence in my own
powers took possession of me, and, shaking off the apathy that
had come over me at sight of that dread figure in the chair, I
set methodically to work to examine the room.

Of course I noted the position of the furniture, the state of the
window-fastenings, and such things in a few moments. The many
filing cabinets and indexed boxes, I glanced at, and locked those
that had keys or fastenings.