“Exactly behind that is a room occupied by one no more burglarious than a dressmaker’s apprentice.”
“Thank you,” replied Gratz. “Your information is helpful, but I am never satisfied to rely upon description when investigation is possible.
“Whatever deductions I make from this examination I do not want disturbed, so all the doubts they dissipate are not likely to intrude upon my calculations again.”
After a few further taps, in which Raikes could see no better purpose than to retire from an embarrassing position with some show of satisfied motive, Gratz directed that the bags be returned.
For the next few minutes he busied himself with the locks, upon which he experimented with the extraordinary keys which Raikes had given him. He shot the bolts backward and forward; noted the stout bar and the precautions for keeping it in place, and then resumed the seat near the table.
After a few moments he said:
“Tell me what has occurred to you between sunrise and sunset during the last three days.”
Raikes recounted his usual round of petty detail, which had no possible bearing upon the problem.
When he had concluded this meager résumé, Gratz continued:
“Now tell me about the nights.”