"Humph! Then somebody must have worked the combination," ventured Sam.
"So it would seem, Sam, and yet when I had the lock inspected, the safe company man told me that that was a first-class combination, and practically burglar proof."
"Is it an old safe?"
"I don't think so—in fact, the safe man led me to believe it was one of the newer kinds. It is about five feet square, and the walls are almost a foot thick. Oh, it is some safe, I can tell you that!"
"But it was not safe in this instance," retorted Tom, who, no matter how serious the situation, was bound to have his little joke.
"You said Pelter and Japson had gone for good," continued Sam. "Is there nobody else around attached to the old firm?"
"I took on their old office boy, a lad named Bob Marsh. You'll remember him," returned the oldest Rover. "He said he wanted work the worst way, so I thought I would give him a chance."
"Maybe he got the combination, and gave it to Pelter or Japson."
"I don't think so, Sam. The boy is rather forward in his manner, but I think he is perfectly honest."
"Yes, but somebody opened that safe and took the box of bonds," put in Tom.