When Quarles and I went to the bank, we were requested to walk in and see Mr. Wickstead, who was one of the three general managers, and he very graciously apologized to the professor for the difficulties which had been raised. "I need not tell you that this is a very serious business for us," he said. "The loss, large as it is, constitutes the least part of the damage. Clients, naturally enough, are anxious about the security of their own property, and already some nervous persons have removed their deed boxes." "I can quite see the necessity of precaution," said Quarles. "You may rely on my discretion. May I ask whether the full amount of the loss has yet been ascertained?" "Yes, I think we have now got to the bottom of it." "The securities--deeds, bonds, and such-like--have they been tampered with?" "No." "The gang must have possessed wonderful knowledge," said Quarles. "Marvelous." "May I take it, Mr. Wickstead, that there is no suspicion of collusion with officials in the bank?" "You may. Of course, you are aware that we had to dismiss a clerk recently?" "Yes, who cannot be found. I understand that he would be in a position to give the necessary information if he chose to do so?" "That is true. He was in a position of some importance." "With regard to this gold reserve, how often is it examined?" asked Quarles. "At intervals, not regular intervals. The unexpected inspection is generally considered the best. We have a staff of inspectors for this purpose." "My point is this," said Quarles; "might the robbery of this gold extend over a period of time, several weeks, let us say--a bag taken to-day, for instance, replaced by a dummy one, perhaps, and another bag taken in three days' time, and so on?" Mr. Wickstead smiled. "This reserve is kept in an inner strong-room. Three keys are necessary to open the door, and these three keys are kept by three different persons. I have one. Three of us have to go together to open that inner room." "Ewing would never be there alone, then?" "Certainly not," Wickstead answered. "For my part, I do not believe Frederick Ewing had anything to do with the affair at all. The circumstances of his dismissal naturally make him suspect, but I think that offense was the beginning and end of his dishonesty." "Yet he has disappeared," said Quarles, "and it looks as if he had taken extreme care to leave no clew behind him." "He would feel the disgrace keenly, I imagine, and would wish to efface himself," the general manager returned. "There was no question of prosecuting him, I suppose?" "One of the directors suggested that course, but it was decided not to do so." "Could Ewing possibly have heard that a prosecution was contemplated?" asked Quarles. "That would account for his complete disappearance."