He replaced the bundle in the safe and took out a cash-box.
“Whew!” he whistled softly, as he opened it. “Mr. Stanworth kept plenty of ready money on hand, didn’t he?”
Roger pricked up his ears and followed the direction of the inspector’s gaze. Lying loosely at the bottom of the cash-box was a thick wad of banknotes. The inspector picked it out and flicked them over.
“Upwards of four thousand pounds, I should say,” he remarked with fitting awe. “That doesn’t look as if he was in financial difficulties, does it?”
“I told you I thought it most unlikely,” Jefferson said shortly.
Mrs. Plant stooped and looked into the safe.
“Oh, there’s my jewel-box,” she said, in tones of relief. “On the bottom shelf.”
The inspector bent down and extracted a small case of green leather. “This, madam?” he asked. “You said this is yours?”
“Yes. I gave them to him to lock up for me yesterday morning. I never like to leave them lying about in my room if I can help it, you know.”
The inspector pressed the catch and the lid of the case flew open. A necklace, a bracelet or two, and a few rings were visible inside; pleasant little trinkets, but not of any remarkable value.