“Why, you know it certainly seems that——”
“It seems so,” nodded Piper; “but, still, I can’t bring myself to believe that our respected schoolmate and comrade would make himself the accomplice of criminals. I had this thing figured down to a fine point, Roy, but I’m willing to admit that my calculations were decidedly upset. I don’t want to make any charges against Fred until I talk with him face to face.”
“I’m glad,” breathed Roy—“I’m mighty glad of that. I thought you were absolutely positive. I own up it does look queer for Fred, but perhaps he can explain. I’m sure he can. I’ll go to him——”
“No, you won’t,” interrupted Sleuth sharply. “You keep away from him, Hooker. You let me do this. You’d make a mess of it. There are other features of this affair that puzzle me a bit. For instance, there are the missing securities. Queer business that a bank vault which was only partly broken open should be discovered short to the extent of twenty thousand dollars in negotiable securities.”
“Haven’t you any theory at all, Sleuth?”
“Only one. As long as I’ve trusted you this far, I may as well go the limit. Swear silence.”
“All right.”
“Cross your heart.”
“Here goes.”
“Then listen,” whispered Sleuth, after an unnecessary glance around, as if to make sure no one was within earshot. “I’ve never had much confidence in that smug, smooth-faced, canting cashier, Timmick. I know Urian Eliot trusts him, but I wouldn’t. I thought he acted queer while I was watching him in the bank after the attempted robbery was discovered.”