“No, I hid ’em.”
“Where?” Flash and Fred Orris asked the question together.
“I’ll show you.”
The old man arose and with a curious group following him, limped to the elevator, and thence to the composing room. He went directly to the supply cupboard.
“I might have guessed where the films were hidden,” Flash murmured.
Instead of opening the case, Old Herm stooped and ran his hand into the narrow crack behind it.
“Here, let me do that,” offered Flash quickly. “You might scratch the films.”
With Orris’ help he moved the heavy supply case. On the floor against the wall lay several negatives. Flash snatched them up.
Two of the Tower pictures had been ruined by exposure to light too soon after developing. The warehouse shot was in good condition, with only one small scratch which could be retouched.
“Say, this may crack the arson case wide open!” Orris exclaimed, excitement creeping into his voice. “You call the police while I make up some 8 × 10 glossies! If we move fast we may be able to catch the last edition!”