PUNCTUALLY at the hour mentioned the detective returned to the bank, and, as soon as he was shown into the private room, his first words were: “Greig, I must examine that chest—the Matheson Finch’s, I mean.”
“Impossible!” exclaimed the manager in shocked tones. “It would be a crime. If such a thing became known it would ruin the bank.”
“Oh, very well, Mr. Greig! But I warn you that, if you refuse, I must throw up the case.”
“Very well,” said Greig at last with a sort of groan. “It must be as you wish, Mr. Blake. When will you do it?”
“At once,” replied, Sexton Blake sharply. “If we wait till night it will probably be too late.”
Once more the two descended to the vault. Greig carefully closed and locked the doors behind them, then helped Blake to lift the weighty chest into the open.
