And now he appeared to be counting the boards.

One, two, three--ten.

His hand ran up and down the tenth board.

Again and again he repeated the operation, and something like the snarl of a baited beast echoed through the room.

He half turned to snatch at something in his pocket, and the light for a moment showed a black-bearded, lowering face, partially hidden by a peaked cap that was pulled far down over his eyes.
There was the rip and tear of rending wood, as a steel jimmy, in lieu of the spring the man evidently could not find, bit in between the boards, a muttered oath of satisfaction, and a portion of the wall slid back, disclosing what looked like a metal-lined cupboard.