Next day, shortly before twelve o'clock, Torry called at the Fleet-street bank, and requested an interview with Vass. The secretary appeared unwilling to grant one, but as he had no option in the face of the detective's authority, he was reluctantly compelled to accede to the request, and conducted his unwelcome visitor, into the private room of Mr. Grent. Torry, who had a retentive memory, recognised this famous apartment. "Ah," said he playfully, "yonder is the private safe. What a pity it cannot speak and tell us the truth!" "The truth?" repeated Vass unsteadily. "About the stolen notes. Don't look so pale, sir; I know you did not steal them. But I wish I knew who did. The numbers have not been traced by any of your people?" Vass shook his head. "No. We have made all inquiries, but we can learn nothing. Did you come to speak about the notes!" "Not exactly. I came to ask you what you were doing in Piccadilly on the day Mr. Grent was murdered." "He was murdered on Sunday. I was not in the West End on that day." "Oh," said Torry noting the quibble, "you need not be so accurate as to time, my dear sir. I know as well as you do that Grent was murdered on Sunday morning after midnight, but for the sake of convenience I'll say Saturday. You were in the West End on Saturday." "Who says I was?" "Miss Sandoval." "Donna Maria?" "Yes; she met you in Piccadilly on the afternoon of Saturday." "And why not, Mr. Torry. It was after office hours, and I have a right to go where I like. But if you wish me to explain I am quite willing to do so. I was in Piccadilly executing some business for Mr. Frederick Leighbourne." This explanation was the same as that given by Donna Maria, so Torry deemed it to be the true one. He therefore abandoned this point, to take up another one, and introduced the latter by glancing round the room. "You have a comfortable apartment here, Mr. Vass." "It is the late Mr. Grent's private office," replied the secretary sullenly, "and I remain in it by the order of Mr. Leighbourne, senior, to sort out the papers of his dead partner." "Did you sit here when Mr. Grent was away?" "Always." "Then, on the Saturday we speak of, you were sitting here?" "I was." "Aha," said Torry, with a satisfied nod. "Now, who came into the room when you were here?" "Various people." "Connected with the bank?" "Mostly connected with the bank." "Did Donna Maria Sandoval call?" asked Torry suddenly. "Yes," said Vass quietly "She did. I see no reason to deny her visit; it was made openly and for a purpose." "What purpose?" Vass wriggled uneasily in his seat. "Am I obliged to answer that question, Mr. Torry?" "Not unless you like; not unless Donna Maria came here for a purpose of which she was ashamed."