“And I returned to my desk just as Mr. Somers came in. He was the first man to get back from luncheon. I don’t see how I can prove I was in the wireless room during that time. Why do you ask if I can?”
“Because,” said the Special Agent slowly, while his eyes seemed to bore clear through Willie, “I was the last person apparently to leave this office for luncheon. You were the only person in the place during the noon hour. During that hour a package of very important papers was taken from my desk.”
CHAPTER X
THE CLOUD GROWS DARKER
For a moment Willie was almost stunned. He stood as motionless as a statue. His Chief was studying his face with searching gaze. Willie endured the examination without flinching. Not for a second did he turn away from the penetrating look. Then he found his voice.
“Do you accuse me of taking the papers?” he demanded.
“I haven’t accused you of anything,” said the Chief. “I have merely stated the facts. Circumstances point to you. It’s up to you to prove that you did not touch those papers.”
“Nothing of the sort,” Willie retorted indignantly. “If you want to make me out a thief, it’s up to you to prove I did take them. It’s the law in this land that a man is innocent until he is proved guilty.”
The Chief seemed to be weighing Willie’s words, as though to determine whether Willie was making a bold bluff or voicing a natural indignation. If he came to any conclusion, he did not mention it. Instead, he went on, “What you say is true, in a general way. But if you really are honest, you will be eager to prove your innocence.”
“Of course I am eager to prove my innocence,” cried Willie. “And I shall not rest day or night until the truth is known. But it isn’t fair to think I’m the thief, merely because I happened to be in the building when the papers were stolen. And anyway, was it fair for you to leave the papers where they could be taken, and not notify me so I could be on the watch?”
“The papers were not left where they could be easily taken. They were locked in my desk.”