Mr. Lane asked a few more questions and then closed his notebook. “Well, Miss Sheldon, that is as far as we can go at present. Before I start, I must visit the scene of operations and take a look at this wonderful safe. I take it that will not be easy to accomplish without Mr. Morrice’s knowledge and permission. Is he likely to refuse it?”
Rosabelle, needless to say, was a little dismayed. He had refused to call in Scotland Yard, would he peremptorily refuse admission to a private inquirer?
She hazarded her fears to Mr. Lane, who thought that he would yield in the matter. The fact that Richard Croxton was prepared to break into his small capital for the purpose of establishing his innocence, should make a favourable impression upon Mr. Morrice, however firmly he believed in the young man’s guilt. If Morrice obstinately refused, he would be forced to revise his opinion of that gentleman, although he was too diplomatic to say as much to Rosabelle.
“I will tell you the principal object of my visit, Miss Sheldon. The theft would have to be committed in a great hurry, and there are sure to be finger-marks on the safe. I want to take a photograph of them. If Mr. Morrice does refuse, for reasons sufficient to himself, I shall have to get a photograph of them somehow, and in this I dare say I shall have to avail myself of your co-operation.”
He smiled a little as he spoke. It was not the first time by many dozens that he had gone in at the back door where he had been refused entrance at the front, or obtained information he required in spite of every obstacle being put in his way.
Rosabelle was quite sure she understood what he was driving at. She would have dared anything for her lover, and if it was a question of smuggling Mr. Gideon Lane into her uncle’s room while he was in the city, her woman’s wit, sharpened by her love, would find a way.
“Now we will not waste time,” said the genial Mr. Lane as the excited girl rose to take her leave. “Pending the obtaining of your uncle’s permission to do the thing openly, I want you to co-operate with me in a little matter. Pay Mr. Croxton a visit as soon as possible and get him to give you an impression of his fingers. If you tell him what you want it for, he cannot refuse.”
“But, of course, he will not refuse,” cried the girl a little indignantly. “Would he have let me come to you if he was not prepared to face the ordeal? And if you find, as you will, that the finger-marks on the safe are not his, that will establish his innocence once and for all, will it not?”
Mr. Lane seemed a trifle embarrassed by the question. “It will go a long way,” he said, speaking with some hesitation.
“Why not the whole way?” demanded Rosabelle, and her eyes flashed a little.