A wild hope seized the lawyer. The men were not to be arrested, there was a chance for him.
The “Borough Lot” needed no second ordering; they trooped through the doorway, anxious to reach the open air before Angel changed his mind.
“You may go,” said Angel to Connor, who still lingered.
“If the safe is to be opened, I’m in it,” was the sullen reply.
“You may go,” said Angel; “the safe will not be opened to-night.”
“I——”
“Go!” thundered the detective, and Connor slunk away.
Angel beckoned the commissionaire who had first interrogated Spedding.
“Take charge of that bag, Carter. There are all sorts of things in it that go off.” Then he turned to the lawyer.
“Mr. Spedding, there is a great deal that I have to say to you, but it would be better to defer our conversation; the genuine guard will return in a few minutes. I told them to return at 10 o’clock.”