The Curlytops and Trouble, though wishing they could help find the lost things, did not stay on the beach much longer. There was nothing they could do, so they went up to the cottage and were given something to eat by Norah.
“This afternoon maybe Mr. Keller will find his keys,” said Janet, as she got out her doll with the shoe-button eyes. “And maybe his wife will find her ring. I hope so.”
“I hope so, too,” said Mrs. Martin.
“Why is Mr. Keller so worried about his keys?” asked Ted. “Would that man he works for discharge him just for losing a bunch of keys?”
“I’m afraid so, my dear,” answered his mother. “Mrs. Keller told me something about this Mr. Narr. He is very rich, it seems, and owns a summer home on one of the islands in the bay. Being very rich, he thinks, I suppose, that he can have nearly everything his own way. At least he wants Mr. Keller, who works for him, to do everything just right.”
“Mr. Keller wouldn’t do anything wrong, would he, Mother?” asked Janet.
“Oh, no! Of course not!” Mrs. Martin replied. “But Mr. Narr might think it wrong of Mr. Keller to lose the keys. One of the keys, it seems, opens Mr. Narr’s strong box in the bank. In the box, or safe deposit vault, are valuable papers, stocks, bonds and so on. Mr. Narr may think that because Mr. Keller has lost the keys some one may find them and open the box, robbing him of his wealth.”
“Could they do that?” asked Ted.
“I think not, my dear. It takes two keys to open the safe deposit box in the bank. One key is that of the man who rents the box, and the other key is kept in the bank.”
“Then I don’t see why Mr. Narr would make such a fuss!” exclaimed Janet.