Volume I Part 67 (2/2)

”Just so A thief would have taken them with him”

Jacopo was silent; the truth of this assertion was evident to him

”Has any one besides you known about it?” asked Monte-Cristo, after a pause

”No one, master; I called you directly”

”Good, Jacopo Speak to no one about this matter”

”But, master; if we have a thief on board--”

Monte-Cristo frowned; he did not brook the least opposition

”Go now, Jacopo, and keep quiet”

When Jacopo had gone, Monte-Cristo called Spero, and bade hi

Spero obeyed, but found nothing

Monte-Cristo laughed

”You are still young,” he said ”Your eyes ht how to see There is a scratch on the lock which er”

”But, father, who could have tried to open the lock with a dagger?”

”A reat skill he put the dagger in the lock and opened it The cleverest locksmith could not have done better Look!”

Monte-Cristo shoved the point of his oord in the lock, and opened it easily

”Really it is so,” said Spero

”And now let us look at the safe, which, I presume, was opened in the same way”

Spero looked carefully at the lock, and then said:

”It has not been opened with a dagger, I am sure of it”

”How do you know this?”

”I see it, papa; the ?”

”Yes; such as is used in pocket watches”