Next came a japanned-tin box, which proved to hold nothing but a file of quite unintelligible, Seidlitz-powder-colored papers, and then what seemed, to Durkin's exploring fingers, to be a few small morocco cases.

The question flashed through his mind: What if, after all, the money he was looking for was not to be found! He struck still another match, with impatient hands.

His first fever of audacity had burned itself out, and some indefinite cold reaction of disdain and disgust was setting in.

Stooping low, he peered into the safe once more.
Then he gave a little sigh of relief.

For there, behind a row of books that looked like small ledgers or journals, he caught sight of a stout leather bag, tied with a corded silk rope.