But in the distressed glance which Frank and Vona exchanged they both confessed that they knew he was politely and unofficially under arrest.
“I'll keep Dorsey on the premises and will stay here, myself,” proffered the president. “You can be sure that things will take no harm during the night, Mr. Starr.”
“So far as your bank goes, there doesn't seem to be much left to harm, Britt,” snapped back the examiner. He fished one of the disks from his vest pocket and surveyed it grimly. “As to these assets, whatever they may be, I don't think you need to fear—except that small boys may want to steal 'em to use for sinkers or to scale on the water next summer. What are they, anyway? Does anybody know?”
Britt had plucked one of the disks from his pocket and was inspecting it. He hastened to say that he had never seen anything of the sort till that evening.
Prophet Elias seemed to be taking no further interest in affairs. He went to the door leading into the corridor. It was locked. “I'd like to get out,” he suggested.
“Now that the other way through the vaults had become the main-traveled avenue of the village, why don't you go out as you came in?” was Starr's sardonic query.
The Prophet was not ruffled. “I would gladly do so, but the door of the grille is locked.”
“Ah, that accounts for the fact that everybody else in Egypt isn't in this office on your heels! Britt, let him out!”
The president obeyed, unlocking the door, and the Prophet joined the crowd in the corridor. Starr went to the door and addressed the folks. “Allow me to call your attention, such of you as are handy to this door, to Cashier Vaniman.” He jerked a gesture over his shoulder. “You can see that he is all right. We are giving out no information to-night. I order you, one and all, to leave this building at once. I mean business!”
He waited till the movement of the populace began, gave Dorsey some sharp commands, and banged the door. But when he turned to face those in the office he reached behind himself and opened the door again; the sight of the girl had prompted him. “I suggest that this is a good time for you to be going along, Miss Harnden. You'll have plenty of company.”