on that has me stopped. PC Harkins has double-checked the bank’s closed-circuit TV camera recordings, and agrees with what Burton told us earlier: nobody entered the bank during the night! And there’s just nothing in Anderson’s statement to give us a lead either.”
“Do you suspect him, sir?”
Hargraves waved a hand impatiently.
“As for suspecting Anderson— I’d as soon suspect my own grandfather! He’s neither the wit, nor the strength, to contrive a major theft like this.”
Brice nodded and stood reflecting. Hargraves glanced at him.
“What about the alibis of Burton and Mackinley? Did you have them checked?”
“I did. Watertight in both cases. So now we’re reduced to suspecting somebody in the general bank staff.”
Hargraves shook his head. “I think they’re clean enough. Let’s look at the thing logically. That gold couldn’t be removed without somebody opening the strongroom door. Right?”
“Right!”
“Only two men knew the combination of the time lock—Mackinley himself, and Burton. The rest of the staff didn’t even know the combination.”
“Which indicates an outsider,” Brice said decisively.
“So I begin to think. There’s no mystery as to how an outsider knew about the gold since the papers have been splashing the business for some time. An outsider, given the information as to when the gold would be put in the vault, only needed to work out how to get the gold out of the vault. That bit stumps us, but if we can get a lead on who attempted the feat we can at least start.”
“Anybody particular in mind?”
“No. It’s difficult to pin down since gold would attract almost anybody. Might have a check-up made on all the big crooks we know and see what their movements were last night. Also have all people within range of the bank questioned. To get the gold out, there must have been activity of some kind, and it’s possible that somebody saw something. A belated homecomer, an uneasy sleeper looking through the window, even a drunk maybe. Anyway, get all the information you can root out.”
“Right, sir. I’ll do that. And you? Taking any special line?”
“I might have another word or two with Mackinley. A new angle occurs to me— This might conceivably be a crime with a double purpose. Revenge, as well as the material gain.”
“I’m not with you, sir,” Brice confessed.
“Mackinley may have a bitter and ingenious enemy somewhere. It wouldn’t be surprising for a man in his position. I might do worse than find out if there is such a person. If that person has the qualifications for pulling a trick like this I’ll go further. Anyhow, it’s worth a try. You follow your line and I’ll follow mine. We’ll check here later. Right?”
“Right!”
* * * *
Joseph Mackinley was looking not at all happy when Hargraves was shown into his luxurious private office toward the close of the afternoon.
“Hello, Chief Inspector.” He rose from his desk and crossed over to shake hands, “Any good news to bring me?”
“Afraid not, sir. I just came along to ask one or two further questions. Purely routine.”
“Questions?” Mackinley motioned to an armchair and then pushed over the cigar box as Hargraves seated himself.
Hargraves shook his head. “Thanks, but no. Now, I have to ask you if—”
“Don’t you fellows at the Yard do anything else beside ask questions?” Mackinley growled. “This vanishing gold business is urgent—desperately so.”
“Quite so,” Hargraves said quietly. “I assure you I am doing my best endeavors, but I can also understand your anxiety. The fact remains you’ll have to trust the police because you can’t do anything without them.... Now, to a few questions. Have you any particular enemies?”
“I have a few—naturally.” Mackinley paced around the office with hands in trousers pockets.
“I’d like their names and addresses,” Hargraves said. “Have no fear but that everything will be treated confidentially.”
Mackinley went to the desk, scribbled on a memo pad, and then handed it over.
“There they are, and not the least bit of use to you, I’m afraid?”
Hargraves glanced down the list. Quite a few of the names were those of men famous in Throgmorton Street and on the stock exchange. He smiled to himself and then asked another question:
“Anybody else, privately, who thoroughly dislikes you?”
“Privately?”
“As apart from your business life. I mean. This is not an attempt to pry into your domestic affairs, but it’s possible there is something—or somebody.”
Mackinley shrugged. “Nothing specific, I’m afraid. I’ve a wife who doesn’t think I pay enough attention to her; a daughter who makes full use of the fact that I’m her wealthy father—and finally there’s young Jeff Cole.”
“Cole?”
“Judy’s so-called fiancé. Come to think of it, he doesn’t like me a bit, but that’s only because I strongly disapprove of his association with Judith.”
“Could I ask you to be more explicit,” Hargraves urged, making shorthand notes on the list of addresses Mackinley had given him.
“Explicit? In what way?”
“Your daughter and this Mr. Cole. Why do you disapprove of him?”
The Mackinley jaw set doggedly. “He isn’t high enough in the world for her. Not enough influence or background. Think of it! The daughter of Joseph Mackinley married to a garage proprietor. It isn’t to be thought of.”
“I’d rather like to see this Jeff Cole,” Hargraves said thoughtfully. “What’s his address?”
“He runs the Apex Garage on Morton Street—not far from here. He’s there pretty well all day so you’ll find him easily enough. But remember—this bank robbery is a secret! Nobody must know.”
“Sooner or later somebody’s got to,” Hargraves answered bluntly. “I’ll be as discreet as possible. But first I’d like a few words with your daughter. When’s a good time to catch her?”
“She ought to be at home now— And don’t go telling her more than you have to. I’ll do that myself.”
Hargraves rose to his feet. “Your family is bound to know in the end, Mr. Mackinley, but I’ll be as careful as I can. I’ll have a chat with her and let you know when anything develops.”
Mackinley hesitated over adding something, but he did not say it.
Hargraves left the office and went on his way, making his first call the Mackinley mansion.
A maidservant answered the door to him, and showed some astonishment as Hargraves showed his warrant card.
“I’m Chief Inspector Hargraves. Is Miss Judith Mackinley at home? I need to speak to her—urgently.”
The maid confirmed that Judith was at home, just as Mackinley had intimated she would be. She invited him into the house and ushered him into an enormous lounge.
He was asked to wait whilst the maid informed Mackinley’s daughter of his visit.
Moments later, with an air of considerable surprise, Judith herself came sweeping prettily into the enormous lounge.
“You—you want me, Chief Inspector?” She seemed quite unable to credit the fact, even when Hargraves again displayed his