As he pressed upward, the tiny segment of molding slid into the top of the desk, showing a hole beneath.
Cardona removed his hand; the segment dropped.
“Look here!” exclaimed the detective.
The inspector leaned over the side of the desk.
“Watch this,” said Cardona. “I slide this piece of molding up like this. See? Then it drops back again. Now I push it up with one finger; then insert another finger in the opening beneath.”
INSPECTOR KLEIN’S brawny fist descended upon the detective’s wrist. Cardona’s arm dropped away from the desk. The tiny bit of molding slipped back into place.
The detective looked at the inspector in amazement, as one would stare at a man who had gone suddenly insane.
“What’s the idea?” he blurted, unable to restrain his anger.
The inspector handed him the thimble.
“Put that on your finger,” he said. “Then push your finger in the hole when you raise the molding.”