"I'll tell you. There has been a robbery here, and we want to get at the bottom of it."
"I haven't touched a thing, sur, an' nather have me family!" cried the janitor, quickly.
"You look like an honest man, and I can't say that I suspect you," continued Dick, for he saw that the old janitor was evidently much hurt. "I want you to help me all you can, that is all."
"Sure, sur, an' I'll be after doin' that, Mr. Rover. Phat did they be after takin'?"
"This safe, here, has been looted, and a small box that contained sixty-four thousand dollars' worth of bonds is gone."
At this announcement the old janitor threw up both hands and faltered back a step or two.
"Sixty-four thousand, dollars, did you be after sayin'?" he gasped, thinking he had not heard aright.
"That is what I said. Now then, just put on your thinking cap, and see if you can remember anything unusual that happened around here two or three days ago."
"Two or three days ago. Let me see," mused the janitor, scratching his head. "I don't remember anything—Oh, yes, I do!" he burst out.
"What was that?" queried all three of the Rovers, while the office boy looked on with mouth wide open.