As the hours of the night advanced, the wind grew colder and Bob arose and closed the window. The air in the room was now damp and it would have been easy to allow his mind to run riot for the building was strangely silent. Noises from the street, far below, were smothered in the sound of the rain, driven against the windows.
A slight creak startled Bob and he whirled toward the door. Even in the dim light which his desk light cast he could see the handle of the door moving. Fascinated, he watched. The handle was moving slowly, as though every effort was being made to guard against any possible noise. Bob remained motionless in his chair as though he had suddenly turned to stone.
Chapter V
A SLIVER OF STEEL
★
The time seemed endless. Actually it could only have been seconds that Bob sat there watching the turning of the doorknob. Then the knob started back. Unseen fingers had learned what they wanted to know. The door was not locked.
Through the hulking building there seemed no sound except Bob’s own strained breathing. In the corridor it was as quiet as in the room, yet someone must be outside the door, testing the lock.
Bob shook his head. He must be dreaming. His nerves must be over-wrought from too much work and on edge from the talk he had earlier in the evening with his uncle.
Reaching out, he tilted the shade of his desk lamp back and a flood of light struck the doorknob. No! His eyes had not tricked him. The knob was still turning. There was a faint click and then the knob remained stationary.
Bob leaped into action. In one fast lunge he was across the room, his hands gripping the doorknob. He tugged hard, but the door refused to open. Then he paused for hurried footsteps were going down the hall. Bob shouted lustily. Perhaps his cry would reach the guard at the elevators.
Then he shook the door. It couldn’t be locked, of that he felt sure. Bracing himself again he tugged at the door and almost fell over backwards when it suddenly opened.
Bob stepped into the corridor. There was no one in sight but from a distance he could hear someone hurrying toward him. A guard came around a turn in the corridor.