Testing the Mechanism

A three-compartment translucent plastic tray sat two paces east of the book stack. I stepped down onto the desk surface and moved in. In the nearest shallow bin, a small black binder clip lay angled against the divider. I planted both boots, hooked my curved hand around the upper steel wire loop, and pulled gently. The spring tension pushed back, firm and resilient. I released it slowly until the wire snapped back into resting position. Secure. A reliable piece of hardware.