"That's all in that desk," said the detective. "In the other young
gentleman's desk the only thing besides business papers and litter was
this key."

A key? What key could it be? It was the first I had seen of it!

"Let me look at it," said Mr Merrett, suddenly, as the detective laid
it on the table.

It was handed to him, and his face changed as he took it. He turned for
a moment to show it to Mr Barnacle and whisper something. Then he
said, "This is my key of the safe, which I left last night in the pocket
of my office coat in this room!"

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

HOW I ENDED THE DAY MORE COMFORTABLY THAN I HAD EXPECTED.

My misfortunes had now fairly reached a climax, and it seemed useless to
struggle against circumstances any more.

Of course, I could see, as soon as my stunned senses recovered
sufficiently to enable me to perceive anything, that the same false hand
which had pointed me out as a thief had also placed that key in my desk
as part of his wicked plot. I remembered that when I was conveyed up to
the sample-room that morning my desk had been open. Nothing, therefore,
could have been more simple than to secrete the key there during my
absence, and so lay up against me a silent accuser which it would be far
harder to gainsay than a talking one.

But what was the use of explaining all this when evidently fortune had
decreed that I should become a victim? After all, was it not better to
give in at once, and let fate do its worst?

"This is my key of the safe," said Mr Merrett, and all eyes turned on
me.

Nothing I could say, it was clear, could do any good. I therefore gaped
stupidly at the key and said nothing.

"How came it in your desk, Batchelor?" asked Mr Barnacle.

I didn't know, and therefore I couldn't say, and consequently said
nothing.

"Have you any explanation to offer?" repeated Mr Barnacle.

"No," I replied.

"Then, officer," said Mr Merrett, "we must give him in charge."

The bare idea of being walked off to a police-station was enough to
drive all my sullenness and reserve to the four winds.

Suddenly finding my tongue, I cried--

"Oh, please don't, please don't! I can explain it all. For mercy sake
don't be cruel--don't send me to prison! I am innocent, Mr Merrett,
Mr Barnacle; I can explain it all. Please don't have me locked up."

In my confusion and panic I turned round and addressed these last words
to Hawkesbury, who received them with a smile i