"You also recall the fact that I handed you a packet, a buff envelope in fact, secured with a rubber band and requested you to immediately place it in the vault?"
"Yes, sir, I do," answered the boy, respectfully.
"Was this the package I gave you?" holding up the bulky envelope.
"It looks very much like it, sir."
"Take hold of it, Richard; tell me does it seem quite as full as when I first placed it in your hands?"
"I do not notice any difference, sir, though of course I paid little attention to the fact at the time," replied Dick.
"You went straight into the vault, because I can remember seeing you. Then my attention being attracted by something this gentleman was saying I turned my head away, and did not think of you again. Just how long do you think you were in there on that occasion, Richard?" continued the cashier, enunciating plainly, as if he wished to impress the seriousness of the occasion upon the consciousness of the one he addressed.
"I think not more than a few seconds, sir; only long enough to put the packet on the shelf where Mr. Payson would be sure to see it as soon as he came in, and place it in the inner safe."
"Yes, I remember, I explained to you that anything placed on that particular shelf was intended to be lodged in the fireproof safe when Mr. Winslow had it open. A few seconds, you say, Richard. I wish I could make sure of that, my boy," and he looked severely at the messenger.
"Did you see that packet again after that?" asked Mr. Graylock, taking a hand in the examination.