rically.

Again the man ahead fumbled at what seemed to be solid wall. Again he
was able to open a door of concrete.

But Britt, when he was through the narrow door in the lead, was blocked
and stopped. He lighted a match. One leaf of the double doors of the
inner safe of the bank vault was flung back across the narrow passage.
He dropped the stub of the match and pushed. The door moved only a few
inches; it was opposed by something on the other side. The president
lighted another match and held it while he peered over the door; there
was a space between the top of the door and the ceiling. "It's Vaniman,"
he reported, huskily. "He's lying against this door. I can't push it any
further. He's wedged against the front of the vault."

Then Starr lighted a match. He noted that the space above the door was
too narrow for his bulk or Britt's.

"Go tell the guard to send in a chap that's slim and spry," the examiner
commanded the girl. "We've got to boost somebody in over that door."

"I'll go. I must go. I'm bound and determined to go!" she insisted,
pulling at him, trying to crowd past him.

But it was necessary for Starr and Britt to follow her to the wider
space below the corridor in order to allow her to pass them. They
demurred, still, but she hurried back up the stairs. Britt knelt and
gave her his shoulders to serve as a mounting block. She swung herself
over the door, and by the light of the match that Starr held she was
able to avoid stepping on the prostrate figure when she lowered herself
to the floor.

The men outside in the passage detected the odor of chloroform.

"I have lifted him," the girl cried. "Push back the door."

Britt obeyed. Then he and Starr took the unconscious cashier by
shoulders and heels and carried him to the private office.

Britt's office conveniences did not include a couch; the men propped
Vaniman in the desk chair and Vona crouched beside him and took his head
on her shoulder.

There were no visible marks of injury. He gave off the scent of
chloroform. His wrists were crossed in front of him and were secured
with a noose of tape. Starr picked up shears from Britt's desk and cut
the tape. "Where's your doctor? Get him in here."

"He lives in another part of the town. I didn't see him at the hall
to-night," said Britt. "I'll send for him."

But Vaniman began to show such promising symptoms that the president
delayed the message.

There seemed to be magic in the touch of Von