“It is not!” The Doctor spoke impatiently.
“But, Martin, who could rob you? Who, besides ourselves here, knew of the money?”
“What money?” inquired Lola. “Surely you do not mean that you had any large sum there?”
“Eight hundred and fifty dollars,” replied her father bitterly.
“This lock has not been tampered with,” announced Dr. Crossett. “The safe has been opened by someone who knew the combination. Who knew it?”
He turned, facing them all. “You, Lola. Who else?”
Lola’s eyes met his, quite calmly, then turned and rested upon Maria, and stopped there. One by one the others followed her look, until they were all looking at Maria, who grew uneasy under their gaze.
“I knew it, yes!” Maria’s voice was trembling. She had done nothing wrong, she was sure of that, but the look in their eyes troubled her. “Miss Lola taught it to me. I didn’t want to learn it, but she made me. What are you all lookin’ at me that way for? You know I ain’t a thief!”
“Has any stranger been here while we were at dinner?” inquired Dr. Crossett gravely.
“Yes,” cried Maria, eagerly. “There was! A woman; a Dago or something.”