on sleeps.
A pleasant room, you see. Books, magazines, and even a plant in bloom.
He is fond of flowers."

"I am not surprised," murmured Corrigan with a shrug. "A gentleman--as I
asserted. The radiator is here, Tim. That must be the board. Take it up
carefully so not to splinter it and deface the flooring. No doubt it
will come easily."

"The floor--you are not going to tear up the floor!" cried the woman
excitedly.

"Only one board," was the soothing answer. "We shall do no injury to
your premises."

"But surely Mr. Carlton would not hide things away under the floor; only
thieves do that." She laughed a tremulous, half-frightened laugh at the
absurdity of the jest.

"How about it, Tim? Is it coming?" questioned Corrigan, ignoring the
pleasantry.

"It stirs, sir; but it is not so loose as you might expect. Didn't Blake
bring a chisel?"

"Yes, it's here. Why not run a knife down that crack and see if you
can't raise the board a little. If you can lift it enough to slip
something under it will come up," directed the chief.

"It's coming now, sir. There, we have it!"

"Take out all those wads of tissue paper."

"Here they are, sir."

"Any more?"

"I reckon not, sir."

"Still, you'd better make sure. Run your hand in at each end as far as
you can reach."

"There's nothing there, sir. A beam goes along where those nails are."

"You are sure there is no other opening?"

"Certain of it."

"Nevertheless, I'll have a look myself."

"To be sure, Mr. Corrigan," the officer replied, stepping aside.

Carefully the chief stooped down and explored the chasm with his hand.

"You're right, Tim; there is nothing more," asserted he. "We have
everything we came after, I guess."

"I am glad to hear that," put in the French woman with returning
confidence. "Mr. Carlton will, I am sure, be pleased that you found what
he sent you for. But what a strange place for him to store his property!
Things of value, no doubt, which he treasured and feared might be lost.
Have you any idea when he will be back? Perhaps if you would give me his
address I might write him a letter--that is, if you think--" She halted
timidly.

For the fraction of a second Corrigan was silent as if he winced at
performing the duty before him.

"I am afraid, madam," responded he at last, "that Mr. Carlton will not
return; nor, I fear, will you wish him back when you know the
circumstances under which he has disappeared. Suffice it to say we co