Among other objects, he found a pair of dice.
“Look at these,” he said. “Lying seven up.”
“Seven,” commented the inspector, taking the dice. “There’s been a lot of crimes in which the number seven has figured. Remember that bank robbery, where they left seven pennies in the safe?”
“Maybe the same gang has something to do with this.”
“Let’s keep away from vague theories, Joe,” said the inspector. “Get that secret drawer open. Any sign of a key yet?”
“Here’s a thimble,” said Cardona.
The inspector took the object. It was a silver-plated thimble that had been lying amidst a pile of paper clips.
“Hm-m-m!” grunted the inspector. “Funny thing to find in an old man’s desk.”
The detective made no comment in return. He closed the drawer. He moved his hand along the side of the desk, following a line where he knew the shallow secret compartment must lie.
He paused near the back of the desk. His fingers were upon an ornamental molding that was divided into sections. Cardona tapped and detected a movement in the woodwork.