THE PARLORMAID
him. He unlocked the door and we passed into the lobby and up the small staircase. At the top of the stairs the door into Ackroyd's bedroom stood open. Inside the room it was dark, the curtains were drawn, and the bed was turned down just as it had been last night. The inspector drew the curtains, letting in the sunlight, and Geoffrey Raymond went to the top drawer of a rosewood bureau.
"He kept his money like that, in an unlocked drawer. Just fancy," commented the inspector.
The secretary flushed a little.
"Mr. Ackroyd had perfect faith in the honesty of all the servants," he said hotly.
"Oh! quite so," said the inspector hastily.
Raymond opened the drawer, took out a round leather collar-box from the back of it, and opening it, drew out a thick wallet.
"Here is the money," he said, taking out a fat roll of notes. "You will find the hundred intact, I know, for Mr. Ackroyd put it in the collar-box in my presence last night when he was dressing for dinner, and of course it has not been touched since."
Mr. Hammond took the roll from him and counted it. He looked up sharply.
"A hundred pounds, you said. But there is only sixty here."
Raymond stared at him.
"Impossible," he cried, springing forward. Taking the notes from the other's hand, he counted them aloud.
Mr. Hammond had been right. The total amounted to sixty pounds.
[127]
