“We opened the safe deposit box this morning in the presence of the officers of the Metropolis Bank and court officials,” Hollister spoke with subdued excitement. “It was a large box—”
“And what did its contents comprise?” questioned Curtis eagerly. “Meredith’s will?”
“No. I had that in my office vault.”
Curtis straightened up and turned his sightless eyes upon his companion. “Did you find the missing documents?”
“No, neither of them.” Hollister spoke with impressive slowness. “The box was empty except for this key,” and he laid it in Curtis’ hand.
In dumfounded silence Curtis ran his fingers over the grooves and notches and then traced the name stamped upon it in raised letters.
“A Yale key,” he said. “Was this linen tag tied to it?”
“Yes.” Hollister dropped his voice until he almost whispered. “The tag bears, in Meredith’s handwriting, the single word—Duplicate.”
CHAPTER XIV
THE DUPLICATE KEY