“There was no large piece this evening, sir,” explained the butler. “Only small fragments.”
“Which means—”
“That some one must have stepped upon the large piece, sir, in the dark.”
“You’re quite a detective, Herbert,” laughed Blake. Then suddenly his countenance changed.
“Are you sure that none of the servants came in here?” His demand was accompanied by the motion of his eyebrows.
“I am positive, sir,” declared Herbert. “You remember, sir, that you told me not to disturb your important correspondence. So I thought, sir—”
“You are right, Herbert. If some one was in here, I should know about it. You can leave now. I’ll look over everything.”
ALONE, Blake became suddenly active. His face wore a slightly worried expression as he studied a pile of letters and envelopes that lay upon the desk.
Satisfied that all were there, he went back to the easy-chair. He lighted a cigar and scowled at the smoke as he puffed away.
The butler reappeared.