The door leading to the house was flung open and Mrs. Eustace faced them.
"Charlie!" she exclaimed. "My rings and jewellery have vanished. The cases are all empty. I am certain—why, what is the matter?" she broke off to ask as she caught sight of her husband.
She glanced from him to Harding.
"What has happened?" she said wonderingly, as she advanced further into the office.
Opposite the open doors of the strong-room she saw the empty cash tray lying on the floor, the note drawer pulled out, the vacant space of the reserve recess.
"Charlie!"
Her voice went to a shriek as the truth flashed upon her.
She rushed past Harding and flung herself on her knees beside her husband, her arms around him, her face upturned to his.
"Oh, Charlie, Charlie! Whatever are we to do?" she cried.
"Shall I go over to the police-station? We had better report it at once," Harding said quietly.