It was really a fire-proof safe.
"You can see, Varin, the safe is empty."
"So I see. Then, my brother has taken out the letters."
Daspry stepped down from the chair, approached Varin, and said:
"Now, no more nonsense with me. There is another hiding-place.
Where is it?"
"There is none."
"Is it money you want? How much?"
"Ten thousand."
"Monsieur Andermatt, are those letters worth then thousand francs
to you?"
"Yes," said the banker, firmly.
Varin closed the safe, took the seven of hearts and placed it again
on the sword at the same spot. He thrust the awl into each of the
seven holes. There was the same clicking sound, but this time,
strange to relate, it was only a portion of the safe that revolved
on the pivot, disclosing quite a small safe that was built within
the door of the larger one. The packet of letters was here, tied
with a tape, and sealed. Varin handed the packet to Daspry. The
latter turned to the banker, and asked:
"Is the check ready, Monsieur Andermatt?"
"Yes."
"And you have also the last document that you received from Louis
Lacombe--the one that completes the plans of the sub-marine?"
"Yes.
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