“Perhaps not,” continued the Special Agent, looking harder than ever at Willie. “But I lent you my keys yesterday to open that cupboard in the corner. You had the keys in your pocket when you went to your boarding-place to get your wireless outfit. What was there to prevent you from having a duplicate key made while you were away? You were gone a long time.” Poor Willie! He was almost overwhelmed. Circumstances certainly did point to him. He knew it was useless to protest his innocence. He saw now that what he must do was to prove it. “Mr. King!” he cried, as soon as he could get command of himself. “I’ll have to admit that circumstances are badly against me. But I am absolutely innocent. I shall not rest until this matter is cleared up. I want you to search me this instant, and my desk, and the wireless room.” “Then take off your coat and give it to me.” Willie pulled off his coat. Mr. King examined it thoroughly, then carefully ran his hands over Willie. Next he searched Willie’s desk and finally the wireless room. He found no trace of his missing papers. “See!” cried Willie jubilantly. “I do not have them.” “That doesn’t prove you didn’t take them.” “Aren’t you going to give me a fair deal?” cried Willie passionately. “Of course I’ll give you a square deal. I’ll prove that by sending for a Secret Service man to investigate the matter at once.” Again he looked hard at Willie, but Willie never flinched. “I’ll be very glad if you will,” he said. “If anybody can find out the truth, the Secret Service men can.” Within a short time a Secret Service operative arrived. Willie ushered him into Mr. King’s office and closed the door. If ever in his life he wanted to be an eavesdropper, it was now. He resolutely fought down the idea and went back to his desk. But it was hard to keep his mind on his work. After a time the Secret Service man came out of Mr. King’s office and began to question Willie. He asked him about every move he had made during the dinner hour, and Willie, comprehending his purpose, tried to account for every second. He explained that he had left the office on the very stroke of twelve, in order to get a quick bite so he could use his wireless during his free time. “I ran over to the Childs’ restaurant,” said Willie, “and got a sandwich and a cup of coffee.” “Can you prove it?” demanded the Secret Service man. “I think so. I can pick out the waitress who brought me the food.” “Then do it,” said the detective. Willie asked Mr. King if he might step out with the detective. “Certainly,” replied the Chief. “Ask one of the clerks to keep his eye on the door.”