is not known to any one man in this
building, not even to myself."

"But the boxes are not kept in the safe?"

"No, they are piled up with the books in the vaults at the side of the
safe, as you can see for yourself, if you choose to join Mr. Folger."

"Not necessary. The janitor, then, is the only man besides yourselves,
who under any circumstances or for any reason, could get at those boxes
after business hours?"

"He is."

"One question more. Who is the man to attend to those boxes? I mean to
ask, which of the men in your employ is expected to procure a box out of
the vaults when it is called for, and put it back in its place when its
owner is through with it?"

"Hopgood usually does that business, the janitor of whom we have just
been speaking. When he is upstairs or out of the way, any one else whom
it may be convenient to call."

"The janitor, then, has free access to the boxes at all times, night and
day?"

"In one sense, yes, in another, no. Should he unlock the vaults at
night, the watchman would report upon his proceedings."

"But there must be time between the closing and opening of the bank,
when the janitor is alone with the vaults?"

"There is a space of two hours after seven in the morning, when he is
likely to be the sole one in charge. The watchman goes home, and Hopgood
employs himself in sweeping out the bank and preparing it for the
business of the day."

"Are the watchman and the janitor on good terms with one another?"

"Very, I believe."

The detective looked thoughtful. "I should like to see this Hopgood,"
said he.

But just then the door opened and Mr. Folger came in, looking somewhat
pale and disturbed. "We are in a difficulty," cried he, stepping up to
the table where they sat. "I have found two of the boxes unlocked; that
belonging to Hicks, Saltzer and Co., and another with the name of
Harrington upon it. The former has been wrenched apart, the latter
opened with some sort of instrument. Would you like to see them, sir?"
This to Mr. Sylvester.

With a start that gentleman rose, and as suddenly reseated himself.
"Yes," returned he, carefully avoiding his nephew's eye; "bring them
in."

"Hicks, Saltzer and Co., is a foreign house," remarked Mr. Stuyvesant to
the detective, "and do not send for their box once a fortnight, as I
have heard Mr. Sylvester declare. Mr. Harrington is on an exploring
expedition and is at present in South America." Then in lower tones,
whose ster