"Very well; then can you remember whether on the day on which you first missed the articles that have been stolen, or on any days immediately preceding it, anybody who was not a member of your household, happened by chance to go to your bedroom?"
The banker thought for a moment, and then said with some hesitation:
"Nobody, absolutely nobody."
The experienced official, however, was struck by the banker's slight embarrassment and momentary blush, so he took his hand, and looking him straight in the face, he said:
"You are not quite candid with me; somebody was with you, and you wish to conceal the fact from me. You must tell me everything."
"No, no; indeed there was nobody here." "Then at present, there is only one person on whom any suspicion can rest—and that is your valet."
"I will vouch for his honesty," the banker replied immediately.
"You may be mistaken, and I shall be obliged to question the man."
"May I beg you to do it with every possible consideration?"
"You may rely upon me for that."