“The man is suffering,” said Jimmy in an undertone.
“Let him suffer,” said Angel, a hard look in his eyes. “He will suffer more before he atones for his villainy. Look, he’s up again. Let the men in, Jimmy, he will find the word this time—and take Miss Kent away as soon as the trouble starts.”
The girl saw the sudden mask of hardness that had come over Angel’s face, saw him slip off his overcoat, and heard the creaking of boots in the hall outside. The pleasant, flippant man of the world was gone, and the remorseless police officer, inscrutable as doom, had taken his place. It was a new Angel she saw, and she drew closer to Jimmy.
An exultant shout from the man at the safe made her raise her eyes. With a flutter at her heart, she saw the ponderous steel door swing slowly open.
Then from the man came a cry that was like the snarl of some wild beast.
“Empty!” he roared.
He stood stunned and dumb; then he flung himself into the great steel room, and they heard his voice reverberating hollowly. Again he came to the platform holding in his hand a white envelope. Blindly he blundered down the stairs again, and they could hear his heavy breathing.
“Empty!” His grating voice rose to a scream. “Nothing but this!” He held the envelope out, then tore it open.
It contained only a few words—
“Received on behalf of Miss Kathleen Kent the contents of this safe.