expression of surprise mingled with anger.
"What are you talking about, sir? There has been no
robbery here. Ido not understand you," said Mr. Bond,
"That is strange, but what is the meaning of this?"
replied the detective, as lie handed him the following clip
ping from the morning paper; "If Bond and Co., of 19th,
Street, wish to negotiate for the return of their securities,
they can communicate with the present holders by address
ing X. Y. Z. through this column."
Mr. Bond said that he had not been robbed and that he
would entirely ignore the clipping.
The detective said, "I am sorry to have troubled you,
but have you examined your safe this morning? If not, and
you find anything wrong, here is my card. He gave his ad
dress and was about to go. "One moment, Mr. Bond, if you
will pardon me," he then continued "but as it is my busi
ness to be a close observer, I notice that door at the rear of
the room." He went and opened it without more delay. "0!
I see, this is is a lumber room," said he. He went on out
and we followed. He pointed to an open window and re
marked that a burglar could have easily entered from the.
room.
We returned to the office and Mr, Smith went to the safe
and, making a hasty examination, said with a grave face,
~M r. Bond., I am afraid that your safe has been tampered with.
You see," continued the detective, "the bank robber of to
day does not break safes. He is too skillful a mechanic for
that. By placing a short ear tube with the sharp edges of
the steel bulb over the mechanism of the lock, the trained
ear soon detects the combination of the lock, and of course
the safe is easily opened."
"To make certain concerning this suspected robbery, I
will open the safe," said Mr. Bond. In a few minutes he bad
drawn out three boxes which I knew contained valuable
bonds and other securities of great value. He quickly count
ed the contents of two of them. While the detective, who was