“Oh, I guess you are mistaken. These men must have had some object in coming here.”
“Yes, they have. Where do you keep the key to your safe?”
“In my pocket, of course.”
“Then it is all right. The cook will be here while you are around the house, and it will be dangerous for anybody to try to get it. You will be around with me or with Carl——”
“And Claude, too,” interrupted Mr. Preston.
“Well, the least said about Claude the better,” said Thompson.
“Why, you don’t suspect Claude of having designs on that safe, do you?” said Mr. Preston in surprise.
“I don’t suspect anything; but you just take my advice and keep your eyes on that safe. You’ve got most too much money in there.”
“I declare this beats me! Things have come to a pretty pass when a man cannot keep in his possession what money he needs.”
“I am only just telling you what I believe,” said Thompson. “I have had an eye on that man Claude for a long time. When you pay off the hands he is the last one in your office, and I expect he takes particular notice of where you put the key.”