"But after office hours?" "Even then the porter would have seen him," groaned Vass, who seemed very wretched. "There are only two entrances to the bank, and James, the porter has the keys of both. No one can go or come without passing him; he is bound to see all who enter." "Did you ask him if Mr. Grent returned?" "Yes--but he says no! Like myself, he saw Mr. Grent last on Friday." Here Captain Manuel interposed sharply. "All this is well, sirs, but to me unnecessary. My money is what I wish. You give it to me." "I'll speak to my father about it," said Leighbourne quickly. "You shall not lose your money if I can help it. But I would point out to you, sir, that the bank is not responsible for the amount." "Not responsible?" echoed Manuel, striking his stick furiously on the floor. "No!" answered the banker firmly. "Your money was not deposited with our firm, but placed by you in the keeping of Mr. Grent. He, therefore, was responsible for its safety." "But he is dead; and cannot repay me." "His estate is no doubt large enough to repay you. I shall speak to my father, as I said before. He is one of the executors; and I have no doubt he will refund this ten thousand pounds out of the property left by Mr. Grent, on receiving proof that you paid the money." "I have a paper signed by Mr. Grent stating that he received the money," said Manuel sullenly, "and this gentleman," waving his stick towards Vass, "was told by Mr. Grent that the money was mine." Vass looked up eagerly. "Mr. Grent said that the money belonged to some society," said he. "It does. To a society of which I am the representative." "Oh! oh! oh!" cried Torry, in three different keys; he was struck by a new idea, and looked directly at Manuel. "Has your society anything to do with Peru?" "Possibly," returned Manuel superciliously; "but my society, sir, has nothing to do with you." "Ah!" said the detective ironically; "I am not a Blue Mummy!" This time Captain Manuel was fairly taken by surprise. Evidently the random shot of the detective had unexpectedly hit the mark. The Spaniard flushed a dusky red; stepped forward; on second thoughts stepped back; and recovered his former serenity with an effort. "I don't know what you mean," he said sullenly. Torry whistled softly, but said nothing. The attitude of the Spaniard confirmed the suspicions he entertained concerning the Blue Mummy. Evidently it was the badge of some secret society to which Manuel belonged. If so, as the token of the Blue Mummy had been found near both the victims, they must have been murdered by order of the association. But for what reason? Plainly because the ten thousand pounds which represented the funds of the society had been stolen. But who was the thief? Here Torry came to a pause, as his reason or imagination could lead him no further. However, to discover more, he determined to have Manuel watched; but in the meantime he was wise enough to hold his tongue.