"Ah!" exclaimed Savette. "There are my trophies."
He pointed significantly to the box.
"Yes," said Tremont, with an evil smile. "We have kept the box here, awaiting your arrival."
"It might have been wise to open it."
"We discussed that, Orlinov and I. We decided to wait, chiefly because the box is such a strong one. We knew that you would have the keys. The contents are valuable, you know. It would not be wise to damage them by demolishing the box."
"That's true," said Savette. "No use to you until I arrived. I gave the usual death dose — forty-eight hours. There is plenty of time yet. We could wait another night; but I think it would be best to open the box now."
He brought the keys from his pocket; then, as an afterthought, he left the living room and returned with Lamont Cranston's portmanteau.
"This is the missing link," he declared. "Its contents are as vital as those of the box." He laid the suitcase on the floor, and opened it. Tremont drew close to watch the examination of the important articles that the bag contained.
"Where is Orlinov?" asked Savette, as he started to lift some books from the suitcase.
"He is quizzing this man Marsland," answered Tremont. "They are downstairs — below ground — in the wing of the house."