"I am not as bad as you may suppose. It was Bowman who, by his artful hints and allurements, induced me to rob my employer. I have never ceased to repent it."
"Are you prepared to restore the bonds? That will set you right."
"When I wrote the letter I was prepared, but now I must depend on you to find them."
"You don't know where they are?" asked Fred in dismay.
"No. You see that trunk at the other end of the room?"
"Yes."
"They were there until three days ago. Then Bowman, who kept the key, opened the trunk in my presence, and took out the package of bonds, locking the trunk after him."
"'What are you doing?' I asked.
"'Going to put these bonds into a place of security,' he answered.
"'Are they not safe in the trunk?' I asked.