human
When did you close the vaults?
gpt
About two hours before the fire. Mr. Manton sent for me.
human
Was there anything suspicious at that time?
gpt
No, sir! I went through each room myself and fixed the doors. That's why the fire was confined to the negatives.
human
Have you any idea why the doors were open when we went through?
gpt
No, sir! I left them shut and the boy I put there while I went over to McCann's said no one was near. He --Wagnalls hesitated.
human
Once he went to sleep when I left him there. Perhaps he dozed off again.
gpt
Why did you leave? Why go over to McCann's in business hours?
human
We'd worked until after midnight the night before. I had to open up early and so I figured I'd have my breakfast in the usual morning slack time--when nothing's doing.
gpt
I see! Kennedy studied the ground for several moments.
human
Do you suppose anyone could have left a package in there--a bomb, in other words?
gpt
I'd notice it, sir! If I do say it, I'm neat. I generally notice if a can has been touched. They don't often fool me.
human
Well, has any regular stuff been brought to you to put away; anything which might have hidden an explosive?
gpt
I put nothing away or give nothing out except on written order from Mr. Manton. Anything coming in is negative and it's in rolls, and I rehandle them because they're put away in the flat boxes. I'd know in a minute if a roll was phony.
human
You're sure nothing special--
gpt
Holy Jehoshaphat! interrupted Wagnalls.
human
I'd forgotten! He faced Manton.
gpt
Remember that can of undeveloped stuff, a two-hundred roll? He turned to Kennedy, explaining.
human
When negative's undeveloped we keep it in taped cans. Take off the tape and you spoil it--the light, you know. Mr. Manton sent down this can with a regular order, marking on it that some one had to come to watch it being developed--in about a week. Of course I didn't open the can or look in it. I put it up on top of a rack.
gpt
When was this?
human
About four days ago--the day Miss Lamar was killed.
gpt
I didn't send down any can to you, Wagnalls,
human
It was your writing, sir!
gpt
What did you do with orders like that, such as the one you claim came with the can of undeveloped negative?
human
Put them on the spindle on that table in the vault.
gpt
Wet your handkerchief and come show me.