“Then you should have been careful to keep your keys in your pocket,” said Willie.
“The keys were in my pocket, all right. Whoever opened the drawer had a duplicate key.” And again the Chief looked hard at Willie.
“Then I don’t see why you should suspect me,” said Willie. “I certainly have no duplicate keys.”
“Perhaps not,” continued the Special Agent, looking harder than ever at Willie. “But I lent you my keys yesterday to open that cupboard in the corner. You had the keys in your pocket when you went to your boarding-place to get your wireless outfit. What was there to prevent you from having a duplicate key made while you were away? You were gone a long time.”
Poor Willie! He was almost overwhelmed. Circumstances certainly did point to him. He knew it was useless to protest his innocence. He saw now that what he must do was to prove it.
“Mr. King!” he cried, as soon as he could get command of himself. “I’ll have to admit that circumstances are badly against me. But I am absolutely innocent. I shall not rest until this matter is cleared up. I want you to search me this instant, and my desk, and the wireless room.”
“Then take off your coat and give it to me.”
Willie pulled off his coat. Mr. King examined it thoroughly, then carefully ran his hands over Willie. Next he searched Willie’s desk and finally the wireless room. He found no trace of his missing papers.
“See!” cried Willie jubilantly. “I do not have them.”
“That doesn’t prove you didn’t take them.”