was a clerk in the office of an expert in such
matters. I should greatly like to see your sample," he answered,
readily.

So she led the way at once and took the key from a desk drawer, which
anybody might have opened, and Ninian remarked:

"What an insecure place for a safe key! Yours is certainly a most
confiding household."

"Oh, it's not a very safe safe, anyway," she answered, laughing; "and
who would want to open it? It's Ephraim's really, though I don't think
he's ever been near it since he came home. Isn't it a great, clumsy
key? But my father told me that there are safes much, much larger and
stronger than this which are opened by very small keys. Odd, isn't
it?" As she spoke she was down upon her knees in front of the strong
box and trying with all her small strength to turn the lock; and after
watching her for a moment the reporter laughed, and suggested:

"Suppose you just merely pull at the knob. It looks to me as if the
thing were already opened, for the door isn't tight; or is that
protruding edge of it a part of the general crudeness?"

Jessica obeyed, pulling with such unnecessary force that the safe flew
open and he fell backward, laughing.

But Mr. Sharp did not laugh. In view of what had been told him he was
afraid the thing had been tampered with, and watched in silence while
the little girl thrust her hand into the safe and felt all about, her
face lengthening as she did so; but again, suddenly brightening, when
she exclaimed:

"Oh, my mother must have done that! There was all the money in here
that was left after Elsa got her own share. The first nights two of
the 'boys' slept in the house to watch, 'cause mother was afraid we
might lose it again. Then, since 'Forty-niner' got home only he has
slept here, and he generally 'bunks' on the lounge in this very
office. That's what it is, what it must be. My mother has worried
about Antonio, and has taken the money and the piece of copper away
and put them somewhere else. Well, never mind. She'll show it to you
as soon as she comes back; and now, what shall we do next? Would you
like to ride?"

Ninian passed his hand across his brow in mild perplexity. An instant
conviction had seized him that here was another feature of the
mysteries pervading this peaceful ranch; and though he as instantly
frowned upon his own suspicion, it would remain to torment him.
However, he said nothing further to disturb Jessica's composure, and
readily agreed that