"Humph! Then that lets Pelter and Japson out, doesn't it?"
"But somebody must have taken those bonds," came from Sam. "Did anybody else have the combination, Dick?"
"Nobody but Dora. I gave her the figures, so she could get the safe open in case anything happened to me, or I was away."
"I've got the figures on a card in my pocket-book," explained Dora, "but I don't believe anybody saw them. In fact, the card has nothing but the bare figures on it, so it isn't likely that any one would understand what those figures meant. Oh, but isn't it perfectly dreadful! I—I hope you—you boys won't blame Dick," she faltered.
"Of course we don't blame Dick," returned Tom, promptly.
"Why should we blame him?" added Sam. "If he put the bonds in the safe and locked them up, I can't see how this robbery is his fault. It might have happened to any of us."
"I'm glad to hear you say that," returned Dick; and his face showed his relief. "Just the same, boys, we have got to find those bonds. Our family can't afford to lose sixty-four thousand dollars—or rather sixty thousand dollars."
"What do you mean, Dick?" asked Tom. "You said sixty-four thousand dollars."
"So I did, but four thousand of the bonds were registered in dad's name, principal and interest, so it's likely the thief won't be able to use them."
"And all the other bonds were unregistered?" queried Sam.