“Another puzzling thing is why they should seek to give the impression that Mr. Field’s body was taken away by water, sufficient blood being dropped on the way with the evident purpose of creating the belief that he was dead or bleeding to death rapidly. If it were not so wild I should be inclined to believe that there are two schemes on foot in relation to Mr. Field, the crossing and conflicting of which has caused this mixed-up condition of affairs. “Yet this may prove to be the true solution of the matter. One thing is certain--I shall not be in as deep ignorance in regard to the case in a week from now as I am to-day. And here is the house. Now to see if there have been any new developments since I left.” CHAPTER XXI. NEW DEVELOPMENTS. Entering the house Nick Carter found Barnes still there. The latter greeted him with: “Well, did you learn anything in your trip downtown?” “Something that may ultimately prove to have bearing on the matter. How has it been here?” “In what respect?” “Anything new?” “There has been a new development.” “Ah! What is it?” “It seems that, after all, the motive was primarily robbery.” “So?” “Yes.” “Something has been missing, then?” “There has.” “What is it?” “A portion of the silver.” “But not all of it?” “No, only the most portable pieces of it.” “Who made the discovery?” “The housekeeper.” “She takes charge of the silver, then?” “Yes, or rather that portion of it in ordinary use. The remainder of it was under the care of Mr. Field personally, who retained the key to the safe in which it is kept.” “Where is the key of that safe now?” “I don’t know.” “Has it been searched for?” “It has, within the last half an hour.” “Then it is not known if that safe has been robbed?” “It is not.” “Where is this safe?” “In a small room back of the dining room.” Barnes led the way thither. Reaching the room the detective inquired: “Who has recently been in this room?” “Nobody but myself and the housekeeper.” Looking sharply and swiftly about him the detective was only the fraction of a minute in arriving at a conclusion. He said: “That safe has not been tampered with.” Giving him a surprised look, Barnes exclaimed: “This is wonderful!” “What is wonderful?” “Why, that you can come into this room and after one glance can say positively that this safe has not been tampered with.” “There is nothing wonderful about it.” “It appears so to me.” “That is because you do not look below the surface. Can you see any evidence of tools being used on the safe?” “No.” “But, had it been forced, such marks would inevitably be seen?” “Yes.” “Then it was not forced?” “Of course not. However, it was not my idea that it had been entered that way. I took it that they might have found the key on Mr. Field and helped themselves.” The detective quietly said: “They were not even in this room, so they could not well have opened the safe.”