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“He and Gly were in the United States to escort a handful of men to Paris and see them off on a polar expedition”

“I understand” But clearly she didn’t

“I have strong reason to believe that these men will be murdered upon the completion of their mission”

She gasped, now seeing the full picture

“I need to get word to the teaetting the last of the supplies they will need I don’t knohere, exactly Did your husband ever mention any houses the company owns?”

“They own a great many for factory workers”

“No, not like that This would be one where they would lodge visiting dignitaries, heads of other companies, potential clients”

She shook her head “I as with me”

Bell doubted he’d have told her anything, but it orth the shot to ask Now he had to go the old-fashioned route “Did your husband leave behind any keys?”

“No,” she said, then i able to help “Yes In his strongbox”

She rose from her spot on the couch and vanished into the bedrooray pressed-metal box about the size of an encyclopedia volued tightly against the sofa’s ar with a fresh handkerchief Bell examined the box The lock was a si evidence of ta contents safe Bell used the knife he kept strapped to his ankle to work at it, bending the cheap metal until the internal lock snapped in two and the clasp popped open

Inside was a set of substantial brass keys on a very fine chain of silver In addition to a snub-nosed revolver and a box of arease paper, there were bundled stacks of francs With the lid open so Theresa couldn’t see, he thuh one of the stacks of mixed bills and quickly calculated the value He removed the keys and money and closed the lid

“These the keys he took to work every ?”

“Yes They are for his office and desk and the like” She spotted the money “Mon Dieu!”

He stood and handed the sheaves to her “I’d guess about twenty thousand francs”