Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 169: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

160 safe, at which Dash had been looking, “that thing isn’t a safe deposit vault by any means, and [ can’t help feeling uneasy about it. The only difference between it and yours is that it has a combination besides the key. I don't suppose you could open it, even if I should give you the combination and you should try, could you? ” “IT don’t know,” responded Dash doubtfully. “Just try it, for fun,” suggested Forsdyke, handing him the key, and giving directions as to the combina- tion, which, by the way, were not the correct ones. Dykeman hesitated for a moment, as a faint idea shot across his brain that it was not exactly the proper thing for bim to do, especially where there was such a large amount behind the safe door. Had he considered the matter longer, he might have concluded it was a very unwise proceeding on his part, and declined. He should have known that men in positions of trust, such as Forsdyke’s, are not in the habit of intrusting the combinations of their safes to others; and that prudent men of business are - very careful about keeping away from am open safe, or watching the opera- tion of opening a closed one, when they are in an office other than their own. “T don’t believe you can open it,” said Forsdyke, in a bantering tone, to stimulate the other to make the trial. It had the desired effect, for, without further hesitation Dykeman grasped the long, slender key, and, kneeling be- fore the safe, inserted it in the proper place; then he began to turn the com- bination dial. ‘Excuse me a moment, Dykeman,” cried the express agent suddenly, “I forgot something to go on that train. Just go ahead; [’ll turn the spring latch on the door so no one will interrupt you.” Forsdyke went out, and the door was closed and locked behind him. Dyke- man had no thought of the natural con- THE ARGOSY. struction that could be placed upon his position—endeavoring to open the ex- press company’s safe with door closed and locked—by any one who did not understand the matter, and he had no suspicion that the situation had been deliberately planned by Brakewood Forsdyke. He was too much occupied in endeavoring to work the combina- tion to think of these things. Forsdyke hastened down the plat- form, and met Kinney, who had just concluded his business at the car. “ Look here, Kinney,” he said, in low tones, “I don’t like the way Dykeman has been sticking around my office lately, and asking questions about the express business. I don't say these things because I think there’s anything wrong with him, but you know we've got a big pile in the box, and it’s well to be careful about every- body. I’m going up town for a few minutes on business. I left Dykeman in the office, and you had better go there at once, and remain until [ come back.” “All right, sir. I noticed he’s been round a great deal lately, but he’s all right, sir,” responded Kinney, as he continued on his way. As the assistant was furnished with a duplicate key to the spring lock on the door of the office, he could enter with- out having it opened for him. When‘the spring lock turned in the door, Dykeman looked up, expecting to see Forsdyke returning. Kinney entered, closing the door after him, and stood for a moment gazing at the agent in speechless amazement. Dykeman, on seeing who it was, rose to his feet, a flush on his face, occa- sioned by his bending posture, and threw the key on the top of the sate. “TI give it up; it’s too hard for me,’ he said, as he stepped towards the door. “Hold on, Mr. Dykeman. What were you trying to do?” interposed Kinney, finding his speech, and placing himself in front of the door, as if to bar the young agent’s egress. COM ElOOO eo