"Oh! oh! oh!" murmured the detective with interest, "it would seem that this assassin is a very ingenious fellow in hiding his trail. So the numbers are different!" "Yes, every number I have a list here of the numbers marked on the bank notes I bestowed on Mr. Grent. Look for yourself, Mr. Policeman, there is no number in the notes equal to the numbers in the list. It is strange!" "It is maddening!" cried Torry with vexation. "I do not believe we shall ever unravel this mystery. Let me see." He took the list presented by Manuel, and compared the numbers on it with those of the bank notes; but not in one instance were they the same. There were twenty notes, each for five hundred pounds, in all ten thousand; but the numbers in every case were different. "It is strange, as you say, Captain Manuel," observed Torry, frowning. "Five hundred pound bank notes are not easily changed; yet the assassin has changed twenty of them, and we cannot trace any one of the transactions." "Why do you insist that the assassin changed the notes?" asked Vass, a trifle pettishly. "Because I believe that these notes were the motive of this murder of Mr. Grent." "In that case he would have had them in his possession on the night he was murdered; whereas----" "Whereas, my dear Mr. Vass, you deny that he took them out of the private safe." "I do," replied Vass stoutly. "They were there after Mr. Grent departed." "Then whosoever took them must have possessed the key, since the safe was not broken open." "I suppose so. But you can't suspect me, sir, Mr. Leighbourne saw, with me, that the notes were in the safe on Friday; and as I was ill for two or three days and absent from the bank, I could not have taken them. Also," continued Vass, defending himself with vigour. "If I had stolen them, I should have put Captain Manuel off with some excuse, and not having jeopardised my character and liberty by confessing that the money was gone." "Quite so," assented Torry sweetly--he had been employed in copying the list of Captain Manuel, and the numbers of the notes into his pocket-book--"but permit me to observe, Mr. Vass that you talk too much. No one, so far as I know, has accused you of theft!" The secretary turned red, and, with some confusion, sat down. Manuel, who had been listening with ill-concealed impatience, restored the notes and list to his pocket. "So for as I am concerned," said he, putting on his hat, "my connection with these matters is at an end. The money of the society has been recovered, and I have no further interest in Mr. Grent or his death." "Have you any interest in his niece, Captain?" "_Dios!_" swore the Spaniard, reddening, "what has that to do with you?" "Oh, nothing; but I understand that you are in love with Donna Maria."