From without Billy could hear the footsteps of the sentry
pacing back and forth within fifty feet of him, all unconscious
that the bank he was guarding was being looted almost
beneath his eyes. Once a corporal came with another soldier
and relieved the sentry. After that Billy heard the footfalls no
longer, for the new sentry was barefoot.
The boring finished, Billy drew a bit of wire from an inside
pocket and inserted it in the hole. Then, working the wire
with accustomed fingers, he turned the combination knob this
way and that, feeling with the bit of wire until the tumblers
should all be in line.
This, too, was slow work; but it was infinitely less liable to
attract attention than any other method of safe cracking with
which Billy was familiar.
It was long past midnight when Captain Byrne was rewarded
with success--the tumblers clicked into position, the handle
of the safe door turned and the bolts slipped back.
To swing open the door and transfer the contents of the
safe to the two sacks was the work of but a few minutes. As
Billy rose and threw the heavy burden across a shoulder he
heard a challenge from without, and then a parley. Immediately
after the sound of footsteps ascending the stairway to the
rooming-house came plainly to his ears, and then he had
slipped the last bolt upon the rear door and was out in the
yard beyond.
Pages:
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409