“Three days,” Beckwith said promptly. “I then added a package to them. I don’t think I have opened the drawer since then.” “Has Gordon done so?” “I don’t think so.” “Is there any time during business hours, Mr. Beckwith, that Pauline Perrot could have removed the bonds and securities without being seen?” “Possibly.” “At what time?” “When I and some of the other clerks were out to dinner. Mr. Gordon always was here at that time. No one in the outer office would have thought it strange if Miss Perrot went into the vault. It would have been inferred that Mr. Gordon had sent her. I don’t see, nevertheless, how she could possibly have concealed the packages.” “Pockets in her underskirts,” Chick said tersely. “That would have been child’s play. I suspect, Mr. Beckwith, that that is how the theft was committed.” “But the cash----” “That’s another matter,” Chick interrupted. “She may have found a chance to slip into the vault and get it before she and Gordon left there yesterday afternoon. How much cash is missing?” “Two thousand dollars. It was in notes of large denomination, and in packages confined with paper straps.” “Was any cash left in the vault?” “Yes, considerable, and all of the specie.” “That seems to confirm my belief,” said Chick. “If the theft had been deliberately committed, with no occasion for haste and fear of detection, the thief would have taken all of the bank notes, at least.” “I see the point,” Beckwith bowed. “And I have not the slightest doubt that Pauline Perrot was the thief,” Chick added. “Do you know whether she left here in company with Gordon?” “I know she did not,” Beckwith replied. “I have inquired in the other offices in this corridor. I could find only one person who saw Mr. Gordon leave. He was alone and was carrying a leather suit case. Mr. Dayton saw him come out and head for the corridor and stairway leading to the side door of the building.” “Does Gordon usually go that way?” “I don’t remember ever having seen him do so.” “Who is Mr. Dayton?” “He is the American agent for an English pottery concern. He has an office on the opposite side of the adjoining corridor. The elevator boy has told me that Miss Perrot left soon after four, and that she was alone. Dayton is sure it was later than that when he saw Mr. Gordon.” “You could find no one else who saw him?” “No, sir. I have made exhaustive inquiries.” “Did Mr. Gordon bring in a suit case yesterday, or was there one here that you know of?” Chick questioned. “I don’t think he has brought one in recently,” said Beckwith, shaking his head. “There may have been one here, however, in that closet,” he added, pointing to a door in one corner of the private office. Chick arose and looked into the small wardrobe closet, but it contained nothing of special significance. He turned back, closing the door and remarking: