But as he wondered about it, he began to feel that it had been a metallic sound, not so much a soft drip.
Risking censure, in his growing uneasiness, he leaped to his feet and threw into circuit his small pocket flash. Its beam stabbed the darkness, here, there.
He shouted in dismay and horror.
The safe door, caught in a flick of the beam, stood wide open!
Tip threw a wall switch. No light came.
Then, suddenly, the lights leaped on, water flowed from the hose.
Too late!
Science had been cheated of its guarded treasure!
Chapter 11
A PUZZLING THUMP
While Tip was rushed out to the street, to drive Grover’s car to and fro, and all around, in pursuit of the elusive, uncanny pair—or had the man left Doctor Ryder elsewhere?—Roger made the routine photographic study of every place that could give a clue to that almost spectral arrival, manipulation of a safe, and retreat.