“I have nothing to conceal. If I had taken the money I wouldn’t very likely be telling you now that I knew the combination.”

“Yes,” agreed Mr. Hardy, “that’s a point in your favor.”

“Is it?” asked Applegate. “You’re just clever enough to think up a trick like that, Robinson. You think that if you come to me now and admit you knew the combination I’ll believe that you are so honest that you couldn’t have committed this robbery. Very clever. But not clever enough. There’s enough evidence right here and now to convict you, and I’m not going to delay another minute.”

There was the sound of a telephone receiver being lifted, and then Applegate’s voice continued⁠—