“Mighty funny thing that you should get nine hundred dollars so quickly. You were pretty hard up last week, weren’t you? Had to ask for an advance on your month’s wages.”
“That is true.”
“And then the day of this robbery you suddenly have nine hundred dollars that you can’t explain.”
Mr. Hardy’s calm voice broke in. “Of course I don’t like to pry into your private affairs, Mr. Robinson,” he said, “but it would be best if you would dear up this matter of the money.”
“I know it looks bad,” replied the caretaker doggedly. “But I’ve made a promise I can’t break.”
“And you admit being familiar with the combination of the safe, too!” broke in Mr. Applegate. “I didn’t know that before. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t consider it important.”
“And yet you come and tell me now!”
“I have nothing to conceal. If I had taken the securities and jewels I wouldn’t be telling you that I knew the combination.”
“Yes,” agreed Mr. Hardy, “that’s a point in your favor, Mr. Robinson.”