Viola touched a button on the wall, a button so cleverly concealed that
the ordinary observer would never have noticed it, and a panel slid back,
revealing the door of the safe.

"It was one of father's ideas that his strong box was better hidden this
way," said Viola, with a little wan smile. "Is there room enough for
you to work? The safe is built into the wall."

"Oh, there is plenty of room, thank you. I can very easily get at it.
It isn't the first safe I've had to work on this way. Many families
have safes hidden like this. It's a good idea."

He looked at the safe, noted the manufacturer's number, and consulted a
little book he carried with him. Then he began to turn the knob gently,
listening the while, with acute and trained ears, to the noise the
tumblers made as they clicked their way, unseen, amid the mazes of the
combination.

"Will it be difficult, do you think?" asked Viola. "Will it take you
long?"

"That is hard to say."

"Do you mind if I watch you?" she asked eagerly. She wanted something
to take her mind off the many things that were tearing at it as the not
far distant sea tore at the shore which stood as a barrier in its way.

"Not at all," answered the expert. Then he went on with his work.