Page:The gold brick (1910).djvu/210

 Still the men did not reply. The tissues of Grigsby's face had become flaccid, and a greenish shade had overspread them. His eyes had contracted to sharp points under angry brows. The governor scrutinized the two men closely, as he advanced, and said, speaking in a calm tone:

"And so, if you gentlemen have concluded your business"—he paused—"I shall proceed to the execution of that duty."

"I am," he added, a moment afterward, "perhaps fortunate in finding you here, Mr. Mendenhall. You may be able to assist me."

He drew toward them, and they stood aside. He entered the vaults where a gas-jet glimmered, its light glinting on the nickel-plated knobs of the great steel doors. He tried the doors. They were locked. He remained an instant in thought, and then took from his pocket a stick of red sealing-wax. He hesitated another instant.

"No," he said, "the great seal could not be utilized."

The great seal of state of the state of Illinois, though it has a political history, is, nevertheless, physically, but a huge overgrown seal such as no