"Lola," he turned to her. "Would you mind opening this thing for me? I never can remember how to do it."
"You had better ask Maria, father. She is the only one who really understands it," answered Lola quietly.
"Very well." He went to the door and called. "Maria! Maria!"
"What a gorgeous night, Doctor," said Lola to Dr. Crossett. "Don't you envy those people out there in their automobiles?"
"Hardly," he replied, "but if you are so anxious as all that for a car, I fancy it won't be long before your father can make you happy."
"Yes, Doctor?" Maria stood in the doorway.
"Will you please open this safe for me, Maria?"
"Yes, Doctor." She went at once to the safe and turned the combination, then stepped back to allow him to approach it.
Lola and Dr. Crossett were laughing now, laughing so merrily that John went over to them to join in their fun.
"What is it, Lola? May I hear the Doctor's story?"
"I was telling her," began Dr. Crossett, "of a queer----"
"Lola!" Dr. Barnhelm interrupted nervously. "It is very strange, but I can't find the money! You have not put it anywhere, have you?"
"No, father. I haven't opened the safe for days. Go on with your story, Doctor." She turned to him expectantly.
"I tell you," repeated her father, "that the money is gone. I have been robbed!"
"Impossible, Martin!" Dr. Crossett crossed the room to him anxiously.
"You saw me put it there yourself! Look!" He pointed to the safe.
"But, since you put it there," exclaimed Dr. Crossett, "we have not left the room, excepting to our dinner. It must be there."
"It is not!" The Doctor spoke impatiently.
"But, Martin, who could rob you? Who, besides ourselves here, knew of the money?"
"What money?" inquired Lola. "Surely you do not mean that you had any large sum there?"
"Eight hundred and fifty dollars," replied her father bitterly.
"This lock has not been tampered with," announced Dr. Crossett. "The safe has been opened by someone who knew the combination. Who knew it?"
He turned, facing them all. "You, Lola. Who else?"
Lola's eyes met his, quite calmly, then turned and rested upon Maria, and stopped there. One by one the others followed her look, until they were all looking at Maria, who grew uneasy under their gaze.
"I knew it, yes!" Maria's voice was trembling. She had done nothing wrong, she was sure of that, but the look in their eyes troubled her. "Miss Lola taught it to me. I didn't want to learn it, but she made me. What are you all lookin' at me that way for? You know I ain't a thief!"
