“Sometime in the evening or night. The outer door was left unlocked, through the neglect of my son, Philip, who sat up later than his mother or myself. Unfortunately, I had myself carelessly left my bunch of keys, including the key to this trunk, on my desk, so that the thief found his work very easy.”
“You and Philip were both careless. Have you got track of the rogue?”
“I think I have,” answered Colonel Ross, in a significant tone.
“I’m glad on’t. These fellows ought to be caught. I don’t have much sympathy for a thief.”
“I am glad to hear you say so,” said Colonel Ross.
“You didn’t think I had, did you?” asked the old man, puzzled.
“I thought you might have, when you came to know who it was I suspect.”
“I don’t see as that will make any difference. Who is it?”
“My son, just before retiring, saw a person prowling round the house, and looking into the window. Doubtless, he saw the bunch of keys, and was tempted to enter and steal the bonds.”
“Have you arrested him?”