At that moment Mr. Sumner entered, and with a hasty good-morning passed to the back. Hal heard him at his safe, and then came a sharp cry.
"The safe has been robbed!"
"What's that?" asked Hardwick, walking to the rear, while Hal followed.
"The safe has been robbed!" gasped Mr. Sumner. "There are seventy-nine thousand dollars' worth of bonds missing."
"You are sure?" asked the book-keeper, while Hal's heart seemed to fairly stop beating.
"Yes, they are gone."
"When did you leave them?"
"Yesterday before I went out with Mr. Allen." Mr. Sumner gave a groan. "This will ruin me! Who could have robbed the safe?"
"Was it broken open?"
"No. Look for yourself."