He realized this when suddenly the lights went out. Jimmy sprang for the lawyer, and struck the rough stone wall of the vault. He groped quickly left and right, and grasped only the air.
“Keep quiet,” commanded Spedding’s calm voice from the other end of the chamber, “and keep cool. I am going to show you my burglar catcher.”
Jimmy’s fingers were feeling along the wall for the switch that controlled the lights. As if divining his intention, the lawyer’s voice said—
“The lights are out of control, Jimmy, and I am fairly well out of your reach.”
“We shall see,” was Jimmy’s even reply.
“And if you start shooting you will only make the atmosphere of this place a little more unbreathable than it is at present,” Spedding went on.
Jimmy smiled in the darkness, and the lawyer heard the snap of a Colt pistol as his captive loaded.
“Did you notice the little ventilator?” asked the lawyer’s voice again. “Well, I am behind that. Between my unworthy body and your nickel bullets there are two feet of solid masonry.”
Jimmy made no reply, his pistol went back to his hip again. He had his electric lamp in his pocket, but prudently kept it there.
“Before we go any further,” he said slowly, “will you be good enough to inform me as to your intentions?”