"This paper is this day deposited with the Treasurer of the United States, by Hugh Craft, Second Lieutenant in the First Artillery. With it is also deposited an iron safe, presumably containing the papers referred to in the body of the communication. Entry of the papers is made in book 'C,' folio 476. This document is to be transmitted from Treasurer to Treasurer, as they may be appointed, until its contents can be complied with; which will be by the Treasurer serving in 1988. "CONRAD N. JORDAN, "_Treasurer of the United States_." The Treasurer took the paper in an unconcerned manner and glanced over the brief. Looking over his glasses, he said: "Well, Mr. Howell, I see nothing about these papers that requires my attention. Undoubtedly they have been long ago acted upon by the proper authorities," and he handed them toward that gentleman. "But the inside, sir," quickly returned Howell. "I must admit I read it, and so found out that it was of importance, even at this late day. It contains an account of a safe to be opened in 1988, and which has been deposited in the vaults since 1888. Now, if such a safe had been opened in this department in 1988, or since, I would have known it; for, as you know, sir, I have been here over fifteen years. I think, sir, that this communication has been mislaid long before the time set for opening the safe, if, indeed, any such article is in the vaults, and that it might require investigation." Mr. Brett seemed a little more interested in the matter, as he again turned the document over in his hand; then opening it, he read its contents. In silence his subordinates watched him, and noticed an increasing excitement in his manner as he progressed. This was the letter which Cobb had written and sent with the safe, and of which he had spoken to Craft and Hathaway. Having read the main document, the Treasurer returned to the briefs and saw that it had been transmitted by five Secretaries, as their indorsements were upon it; but after the year 1904 no more indorsements were made, and it was apparent that the paper had been mislaid since then. Handing the bundle to Mr. Peck, the Treasurer said: "That is a most curious document, I must say. Can you make anything out of it?" The latter perused it carefully, and also looked at its indorsements. "If such a safe is now in the vaults," he answered, returning the communication, "it should be looked after at once, for the time has long since passed when it should have been opened. Perhaps you did not notice that the last indorsement says that the safe was deposited in the certificate vaults on January 7, 1904, by Treasurer Chamberlin. I think it would be well to look into this matter; and if you wish it, I will at once attend to searching that vault."