The cat split open.
Scotty let out a yell of triumph. In the bottom half was a square of lead, and it was clearly a box, not a solid lump.
"Hurry!" Rick pleaded.
Scotty took the screw driver and pried. The lead box yielded reluctantly.
There wasn't a sound in the control room except for the impulses from the tape recorder, which ran on unnoticed.
Scotty pried gingerly, and the lead box came loose and dropped to the floor.
Rick scooped it up and turned it in his hands, looking for the opening. He found only a thin seam of solder around one flat side.
"Have to cut it open," Rick said. Using his jackknife, he scored the bead of solder. It cut easily. He scored it again, deeper, and felt the knife blade penetrate. He turned the box and did the same thing to both ends.
Face flushed with excitement, he took the screw driver, thrust it under the lid, and bent it upward.
The box opened.