“No, sir, it has not,” promptly replied the sheriff.
“You have opened it before this, of course?”
“Yes, I glanced at its contents when it was first placed in my keeping, but made no examination of them, as I should have done had not other important matters claimed my attention.”
“How long was the bag in your possession?” asked Snyder, turning to Rod.
“About half an hour, but——”
“Was any one with you during that half hour?” interrupted the questioner.
“No; but as I was going to say——”
“That is sufficient. I don’t care to hear what you were going to say. Others may listen to that if they choose when the proper time comes. What I have to say regarding this business is, that in view of this new development I am more than ever desirous of delivering you into the hands of the proper authorities in New York. I would also suggest that your short and brilliant career as a railroader has come to a disgraceful end more quickly than even I suspected it would.”
“Do you mean to say that you think I stole those diamonds?” demanded Rod, hotly.
“Oh, no,” answered Snyder. “I don’t say anything about it. The circumstances of the case speak so plainly for themselves that my testimony would be superfluous. Now, Mr. Sheriff, as our business here seems to be concluded, I think we will bid you good-by and be moving along.”