“You have questioned her, I infer?” Nick put in.
“Yes, certainly. I went down and questioned her after telephoning to you. She had only a few customers this evening, but was in the front room all the while. She is positive that no persons have visited these rooms, or left them, by means of the stairs and the street door. Such a quantity of plunder could not possibly have been taken out that way without her observing it.”
“Is there a rear door from the house?” Nick inquired.
“Yes,” Gordon quickly nodded. “It leads to a small paved area between the back of this and the adjoining dwelling and the side wall of the Carroll Building. I have learned positively, however, that no persons have been in or out of the rear door.”
“From whom?”
“From the janitor. He is thoroughly trustworthy. He lives in a rear room on the ground floor. He has been there all of the evening, and the door of his room has not been closed. No person could have passed through the hall without his having seen or heard him. He is absolutely sure there have been no intruders.”
“By Jove, it does appear a bit mysterious,” Chick remarked.
“Plainly enough the plunder must have been taken out in some direction,” Nick replied. “Who occupies the upper floor of the house?”
“Victor Gilbert, the well-known photographer. He is the only tenant on that floor. His integrity is beyond question.”
“Very true,” Nick allowed. “I know him personally.”