The friendly quality died out of Van Diest's voice.
"We was very sincere, Mr. Barraclough."
"Oh, that's fine," said Richard.
Oliver Laurence laid a soothing hand on his shoulder and the touch of the man was beastly. It inspired an instant and substantial dislike. Richard rounded on him with his first show of temper and brushed away the hand.
"Look here, Daisy," he said. "Better not touch the exhibits unless you want to be hurt."
And at this point Ezra P. Hipps showed himself a man of action.
"Guess what you won't give we'll have to take. Keys?"
"Take 'em by all means," said Richard, fishing the bunch from his pocket. "Tell me if you find anything."
"It will save a lot of troubles to you if we find something," murmured
Van Diest.
There was a distinct menace in the words but Richard was too interested in the activities of Ezra P. Hipps to pay heed to that. With lightning-like rapidity the American had unlocked every drawer in the bureau, withdrawn them from their runners and laid them in a precise row on the floor.