The lawyer was beginning, in a furious voice: "What you think, sir, is of minor―" when Dr. Fell cut him short. He spoke in a tired and indolent voice.
"Payne," said Dr. Fell, "you're an ass. You've made trouble at every turn, and I wish you wouldn't be such an old woman…. By the way, how did you know we were up there?"
The tone in which he spoke, one of mild expostulation, was worse than any contempt. Payne glared.
"I have eyes," he snarled. "I saw you leaving. I went up after you to be sure your meddling ways had interfered with nothing."
"Oh!" said Dr. Fell. "Then you violated the law too?"
"That is not the question, sir. I am privileged. I know what is in that vault…." He was so angry that he grew indiscreet, and added, "It is not the first time I have been privileged to see it."
Dr. Fell had been staring blankly at the floor. Now he rolled up his big lionlike head, still with that vacant expression, to regard the other.
"That's interesting," he murmured. "I rather thought you had, too. H'mf. Yes."
"I must remind you again," said Payne, "that 1 hold a trust―"
"Not any longer," said Dr. Fell.