Mr. Jarvis had the air of a man hopelessly bewildered.  Excellent servant though he was, nature had not bestowed upon him those gifts which enable a man to meet a crisis firmly.

“Can you suggest anything that we ought to do, madam?” he asked Mrs. Weatherley.

“I think,” she replied, “that Mr. Chetwode has something to tell you.”

Arnold took the key of the safe from his pocket and turned to the cashier.

“A few days ago, Mr. Jarvis,” he said slowly, “Mr. Weatherley placed certain documents in that safe and gave me the key.  My instructions from him were to open and examine them with you, if he should be, for any unexplained cause, absent from business.”

Mr. Jarvis looked blankly incredulous.

“Goodness gracious!” he murmured weakly.  “Why, that looks almost as though he expected something of the sort to happen.”

“I think,” Arnold continued, “that as it is now past three o’clock, and Mr. Weatherley is still absent, we had better open the safe.”

He crossed the room as he spoke, fitted the key in the lock, and swung the door open.  Mrs. Weatherley and the cashier looked over his shoulder.  There were only the two letters there.  One was addressed to Messrs. Turnbull & James, Solicitors; the other jointly to Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Arnold Chetwode.

   [Illustration:  Mrs. Weatherley and the cashier looked over his
   shoulder. Page 259.]

“There is nothing there for me?” Mrs. Weatherley asked, incredulously.

“There is nothing at all,” Arnold replied; “unless there may be an enclosure.  Mr. Jarvis, will you open this envelope?”

Mr. Jarvis took it to the desk and broke the seal with trembling fingers.  He smoothed the letter out, switched on the electric reading light, and they all read it at the same time.  It was written in Mr. Weatherley’s familiar hand, every letter of which was perfectly distinct and legible.

      TO JARVIS AND CHETWODE.

      This is a record of certain instructions which I wish
      carried out in the event of my unexplained absence from
      business at any time.

Firstly—­The business is to continue exactly as usual, and my absence to be alluded to as little as possible.  It can be understood that I am away on the Continent or elsewhere, on a business voyage.

Secondly—­I have deposited a power of attorney at my solicitors, made out in the joint names of Henry Jarvis and Arnold Chetwode.  This will enable you both to make and receive contracts on behalf of the firm.  As regards financial affairs, Messrs. Neville, the accountants, have already the authority to sign cheques, and a representative from their firm will be in attendance each day, or according to your request.  My letter to Messrs. Turnbull & James empowers them to make such payments as are necessary, on the joint application of you two, Henry