CHAPTER XV
VIA THE PRESIDENT'S PRIVATE WAY
There was a hanging lamp in Britt's office, and the president hastened to light it.
“Do you mean to say that there's another way of entering that bank vault?” Starr demanded when Britt began to twirl the knob of a steel door that guarded his private vault. “I'm beginning to think that the fellow who wrote on that placard had this joint sized up mighty well.”
Britt went on with the working of the combination. He was deeply stirred; his excitement had made his temper touchy. “I know of no reason why the president of a bank isn't allowed access to the vault.”
“Perhaps not, under proper conditions, but we'll discuss that matter later, Britt. Right now I'm all-fired glad you can get in.” He sneered when he added, “Perhaps a regular, time-locked vault does need a safety outlet. I may recommend it for all state banks.”
Vona took her stand close to the door, trembling with passionate eagerness. Constantly she appealed to Britt to hurry. When he finally swung open the door she leaped into the vault. He dragged her back, handling her roughly, harshly telling her that it was no place for a girl.
“I don't think it is, either,” agreed Starr. “We seem to have considerable love mixed in with this situation, young woman, but this is not the time for it.”
He crowded past her, at the back of Britt.
The man ahead stopped and fumbled at what seemed to be a wall of concrete; he pushed open a narrow door which fitted so closely that it had seemed to be a part of the wall.