And now, dear Log or Journal, I must record what followed, which I shall do as acurately as I can, in case of having later on to call in the Secret Service and read this to them.

There is a safe built in my resadence under the stairs, in which the silver service, plates, etcetera, are stored, as to big for the Safe Deposit, besides being a nusance to send for every time there is a dinner.

This safe only my father can unlock, or rather, this I fondly believed until tonight.  But how diferent are the facts!  For William walked to it, after listening at the foot of the stairs, and opened it as if he had done so before quite often.  He then took from it my father’s Dispach Case, locked the safe again, and went back through the dining room.

It is a terrable thing to see a crime thus comitted and to know not what to do.  Had William repaired again to his chamber, or would he return for the plates, etcetera?

At last I crept upstairs to my father’s room, which was locked.  I could not waken him by gently taping, and I feared that if I made a noise I would warn the lurking Criminal in his den.  I therfore went to my bathroom and filled my bath sponge with water, and threw it threw the transom in the direction of my father’s bed.

As it happened it struck on his face, and I heard him getting up and talking dreadfully to himself.  Also turning on the lights.  I put my mouth to the keyhole and said: 

“Father!”

Had he but been quiet, all would have been well.  But he opened the door and began roaring at me in a loud tone, calling me an imp of Mischeif and other things, and yelling for a towle.

I then went in and closed the door and said: 

“That’s right.  Bellow and spoil it all.”

“Spoil what?” he said, glareing at me.  “There’s nothing left to spoil, is there?  Look at that bed!  Look at me!”

“Father,” I said, “while you are raging about over such a thing as a wet Sponge, which I was driven to in desparation, the house is or rather has been robbed.”

He then sat down on the bed and said: 

“You are growing up, Bab, although it is early for the burglar obsession.  Go on, though.  Who is robbing us and why?  Because if he finds any Money I’ll divide with him.”

Such a speach discouraged me, for I can bear anything except to be laughed at.  I therfore said: 

“William has just taken your Dispach Case out of the safe.  I saw him.”

“William!”

“William,” I repeated in a tence voice.

He was then alarmed and put on his slippers and dressing gown.

“You stay here,” he observed.  “Personally I think you’ve had a bad dream, because William can’t possably know the combination of that safe.  It’s as much as I can do to remember it myself.”

“It’s a Spy’s business to know everything, father.”

He gave me a peircing glance.