“I not only say it! I did!”
“And you didn’t tamper with anything? The film drying machine, for instance?”
“I wasn’t even in that part of the room.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to know,” said Flash with grim satisfaction. “We’ll see!”
Old Herm had brushed off his clothes. He now edged toward the door, but Flash grasped his arm and pulled him back.
“Oh, no, you don’t, Herm! You’ll stay right here. I may decide to turn you over to the police!”
“Evans, I consider you’ve gone entirely too far,” Fred Orris interposed coldly. “You’ve made some very serious accusations. If you fail to prove them—”
“Don’t worry, I’ll prove them. I just want to make certain Old Herm doesn’t do a disappearing act. And it might be a good idea to frisk him.”
The watchman protested angrily as his pockets were searched. Triumphantly, Flash brought to light a blackjack.
“There ain’t no crime in carryin’ that, I hope,” Old Herm defended himself. “I need a harmless weapon in case I’m attacked while makin’ my rounds.”