There was actually a groaning sound from within.
"It can't be opened," he said to himself. "The time lock is set
for tomorrow morning."
Outside, if we had not been so absorbed in the present mystery, we
might have seen Michael and the Clutching Hand listening to us.
Clutching Hand looked hastily at his watch.
"The deuce!" he muttered under his breath, stifling his suppressed
fury.
We stood looking at the safe. Kennedy was deeply interested,
Elaine standing close beside him. Suddenly he seemed to make up
his mind.
"Quick--Elaine!" he cried, taking her arm. "Stand back!"
We all retreated. The safe door, powerful as it was, had actually
begun to warp and bend. The plates were bulging. A moment later,
with a loud report and concussion the door blew off.
A blast of cold air and flakes like snow flew out. Papers were
scattered on every side.
We stood gazing, aghast, a second, then ran forward. Kennedy
quickly examined the safe. He bent down and from the wreck took up
a package, now covered with white.
As quickly he dropped it.
"That is the package that was sent," cried Elaine.
Taking it in a table cover, he laid it on the table and opened it.
Inside was a peculiar shaped flask, open at the top, but like a
vacuum bottle.
"A Dewar flask!" ejaculated Craig.
"What is it?" asked Elaine, appealing to him.
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