“What was that?” asked Merrick.

“He forgot to carve his name on the safe.”

“Is that meant to be serious?” asked Merrick.

“No-o-o-o,” drawled Hashknife. “I suppose I’m jokin’.”

“Aw, he wouldn’t write his name on the safe,” said Honey.

“Might as well,” grinned Hashknife. “It sure shows that Joe is a beginner at the game. A regular hold-up man don’t tag his work thataway.”

Merrick looked seriously at Hashknife. “You talk as though you were familiar with hold-up men, Hartley.”

“No; I just use common sense, Merrick.”

“Uh-huh. Well, it’s a good thing to use. A lot of us don’t do it.”

“No, that’s true,” admitted Hashknife seriously.