With this assent, Gratz hurried to the window, examined the sash, considered the sheer depths immediately below, its lack of vicinity to other windows, and last, the strong fastenings, to disturb which would involve a degree of rasp and wrench sufficient to disturb the slumbers of a Rip Van Winkle.
With a countenance as impassive as ever, he returned to Raikes and said:
“Now for the hiding place.”
With a grimace of reluctant acquiescence, Raikes, closely regarded by the detective, proceeded to the button in the concave, which he moved with slow manipulation for the edification of the alert watcher, who witnessed, without comment, the displacement of the register and the subsequent revelation of the inner compartment.
“Remove the bags.”
At the conclusion of this labor, this impenetrable being produced a small rod of steel from one of his pockets, one end of which concluded in a round knob.
With this he proceeded to rap the walls of the inner recess, a proceeding of which Raikes inquired the purpose.
“I want to ascertain,” replied Gratz, “if there is any vacancy on the other side.”
“I could have saved you all that trouble,” replied Raikes. “This is a false radiator, the real flue is on the other side of the room.
“The rear of this small safe backs up against nearly two feet of solid brickwork.