The Rubber Band

Perry finally spoke. "In spite of appearances, I am personally of the opinion that Clara Fox did not take that money. It would be a great shock to me to know that she did, and the proof would have to be unassailable."

"What does she say about it?"

"She hasn't been asked. Nothing has been said, except to Arbuthnot, Miss Vawter- the executive reception clerk-and Muir's stenographer. I may as well tell you, Muir wanted to send for the police this morning, and I restrained him."

"Maybe Miss Vawter took it."

"She has been with us eighteen years. I would sooner suspect myself. Besides, someone is constantly passing in the corridor. If she left her desk even for a minute it would be noticed."

"How old is Clara Fox?"

"Twenty-six."

"Oh. A bit junior, huh? For such a responsible position. Married?"

"No. She is a remarkably competent person."

"Do you know anything of her habits? Does she collect diamonds or frolic with the geegees?"

Perry stared at me. I said, "Does she bet on horse races?"

He frowned. "Not that I know of. I am not personally intimate with her, and I have not had her spied on."

"How much does she get and how do you suppose she spends it?"

"Her salary is thirty-six hundred. So far as I know, she lives sensibly and respectably. She has a small flat somewhere, I believe, and she has a little car- I have seen her driving it. She- I understand she enjoys the theater."

"Uh-huh." I flipped back a page of my notebook and ran my eye over it. "And this Mr. Muir who leaves his drawer unlocked with thirty grand inside- might he have been caught personally with his financial pants down and made use of the money himself?"

Perry smiled and shook his head. "Muir owns some twenty-eight thousand shares of the stock of our corporation, worth over two million dollars at the present market, besides other properties. It was quite usual for him to leave the drawer unlocked under those circumstances."