He took from his pocket a little flat leather case and opened it.

It contained a number of steel implements of curious shape which were held in position by a leather loop along the centre of the case.

From one of these loops he extracted a handle, and deftly fitted something that looked like a steel awl to the socket in the handle.

Looking in wonder, and with no little apprehension, Kara saw that the awl was bent at the head.
"What are you going to do ?" he asked, a little alarmed.
"I'll show you," said T.X.

pleasantly.
Very gingerly he inserted the instrument in the small keyhole and turned it cautiously first one way and then the other.