"And the importance of the theft is immense," continued M. Fauvel; "they have taken a fortune, three hundred and fifty thousand francs. This robbery might have had the most disastrous consequences. In times like these, the want of this sum might compromise the credit of the wealthiest banking-house in Paris." "I believe so, if notes fall due." "Well, monsieur, I had this very day a heavy payment to make." "Ah, really!" There was no mistaking the commissary's tone; a suspicion, the first, had evidently entered his mind. The banker understood it; he started, and said, quickly: "I met the demand, but at the cost of a disagreeable sacrifice. I ought to add further that, if my orders had been obeyed, the three hundred and fifty thousand francs would not have been in." "How is that?" "I never desire to have large sums of money in my house over-night. My cashier had positive orders to wait always until the last moment before drawing money from the Bank of France. I above all forbade him to leave money in the safe over-night." "You hear this?" said the commissary to Prosper. "Yes, monsieur," replied the cashier, "M. Fauvel's statement is quite correct." After this explanation, the suspicions of the commissary, instead of being strengthened, were dissipated. "Well," he said, "a robbery has been perpetrated, but by whom? Did the robber enter from without?" The banker hesitated a moment. "I think not," he said at last. "And I am certain he did not," said Prosper. The commissary expected and was prepared for those answers; but it did not suit his purpose to follow them up immediately. "However," said he, "we must make ourselves sure of it." Turning toward his companion: "M. Fanferlot," he said, "go and see if you cannot discover some traces that may have escaped the attention of these gentlemen." M. Fanferlot, nicknamed the Squirrel, was indebted to his prodigious agility for this title, of which he was not a little proud. Slim and insignificant in appearance he might, in spite of his iron muscles, be taken for
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