A skilled burglar, Mike, infiltrates a jewelry factory under the cover of night, seeking to access the vault filled with valuable items. As he navigates the dark corridors, he remains cautious, aware of the watchman's routine. Upon reaching the vault, he discovers an unexpected complication: a bound man, Jack, who is gagged and unable to communicate. Mike's initial plan to rob the vault shifts as he realizes the man is in distress. Before Mike can act, another figure, Saunders, enters the scene. He reveals himself as Jack's boss and the mastermind behind a scheme to rob the vault while framing Jack for the crime. Saunders has already set up a trap that would seal anyone inside the vault, ensuring they suffocate without alerting the police. He plans to knock Jack unconscious again and leave him to die inside the vault, taking the loot for himself. As Saunders prepares to execute his plan, Mike, hidden in a closet, overhears the details of the plot. He learns that the alarm system has been tampered with, and he realizes the grave danger he faces if he were to enter the vault. The tension escalates as Saunders begins to loot the vault, leaving Mike in a state of panic and fear. In a twist of fate, Mike accidentally activates the switch that seals the vault doors, trapping Saunders inside. With the immediate threat neutralized, Mike must now decide how to handle the unconscious Jack and the situation he has stumbled into. He flees the factory, clutching a portion of the stolen payroll, leaving behind the chaos and uncertainty of what will happen next. The narrative explores themes of deception, survival, and the unexpected consequences of one's actions, culminating in a tense confrontation between criminal intentions and the instinct for self-preservation.
By Murray Leinster · First published 1956 · Genre: Crime Fiction, Thriller, Mystery · 3 chapters