"Great Jove!" exclaimed Morgan, "suppose it should be locked!"
"I don't think it is," replied Old Spicer quietly, and taking hold of the knob he pulled it open.
The door was of iron and quite heavy, but it moved on its hinges with the utmost ease.
"Oh, ho!" said Old Spicer, "those hinges have been oiled, and that quite recently."
He then examined them, and found he was right.
The key—a large one—was found in the lock.
The two detectives now entered the vault, which they found, as Morgan had already been informed, was a very large one.
It was plainly to be seen that the place had once been fitted up for a barroom; but it was also quite evident that it had more recently been used as a secret rendezvous, and to some extent as a sleeping-room; indeed, there were sleeping accommodations for at least half a dozen men.
Old Spicer looked about him with a thoughtful expression of countenance.
"What are you thinking of?" suddenly asked Morgan.