"There were several boys on duty in the hall, but they are not supposed to go to the letter-rack without orders. If one of them had looked over the letters it could scarcely have escaped notice. No, unpleasant as it is to think so, I am afraid it was one of the members—someone who was counting on the fact that I never appear at the club except for an important meeting or a dinner. I looked over the members in the clubhouse, honest-looking men—but who can tell?"
"No doubt the one who got the money left immediately," suggested Evan.
Hassell said to Deaves: "With your permission I should like to take the matter up with the Board of Governors."
"No, no, if you please," said Deaves nervously. "No publicity."
"Then allow me to put this list in the hands of a first-class detective agency. Those fellows are secret enough."
"Let me attend to it if you please."
Hassell handed over the list with manifest reluctance; "If anyone uses my name again I trust you will let me know promptly."
"You may depend on it," said Deaves, making for the door.
"By the way, how did you like my pictures?"
"Very pretty, very pretty," said Deaves uneasily. "I don't know anything about such things. My wife buys everything for the home."