human
Can you point out which one it is?
gpt
Let's see! Wagnalls scratched his head.
human
Next to the top, he replied, in a moment.
gpt
Miss Lamar's death upset everything. Only one order came down after that.
human
Get me some collodion, somebody!
gpt
Do you think, Mr. Kennedy, that the little can he told you about started the fire?
human
I'm sure of it, although I'll never be able to prove it.
gpt
How did it work?
human
Well, I imagine a small roll of very dry film was put in to occupy a part of the space. Film is exceedingly inflammable, especially when old and brittle. In composition it is practically guncotton and so a high explosive. In this recent war, I remember, the Germans drained the neutral countries of film subjects until we woke up to what they were doing, while in this country scrap film commanded an amazing price and went directly into the manufacture of explosives. Then I figure that a quantity of wet phosphorus was added, to fill the can, and that then the can was taped. The tape, of course, is not moisture proof entirely. With the dampness from within it would soften, might possibly fall off. In a relatively short time the phosphorus would dry and burn. Immediately the film in the can would ignite. As happened, it blew up, a minor explosion, but enough to scatter phosphorus everywhere. That, in the fume-laden air of the vault--there are always fumes in spite of the best ventilation system made--caused the first big blast and started all the damage.
gpt
Ingenious, he murmured.
human
As ingenious as the methods used to murder the girl and her director.