that instant came a powerful electric flash. Dodge sank on the
floor grasping the instrument, electrocuted. Below, the master
criminal could scarcely refrain from exclaiming with satisfaction
as his voltmeter registered the powerful current that was passing.

A moment later the criminal slid silently into Dodge's room.
Carefully putting on rubber gloves and avoiding touching the
register, he wrenched the telephone from the grasp of the dead
man, replacing it in its normal position. Only for a second did he
pause to look at his victim as he destroyed the evidence of his
work.

Minutes were precious. First Dodge's pockets, then his desk
engaged his attention. There was left the safe.

As he approached the strong box, the master criminal took two
vials from his pockets. Removing a bust of Shakespeare that stood
on the safe, he poured the contents of the vials in two mixed
masses of powder forming a heap on the safe, into which he
inserted two magnesium wires.

He lighted them, sprang back, hiding his eyes from the light, and
a blinding gush of flame, lasting perhaps ten seconds, poured out
from the top of the safe.

It was not an explosion, but just a dazzling, intense flame that
sizzled and crackled. It seemed impossible, but the glowing mass
was literally sinking, sinking down into the cold steel. At last
it burned through--as if the safe had been of tinder!