“More guards coming,” Chuba whispered excitedly.
“Two of them this time,” Muscles said. “Makes a more even match.”
The giant mechanic waited until the two were in the corridor a pace beyond the door. He jerked the door open, pounced on the two guards, and in a swooping motion, cracked their heads together. He dragged them into the room.
“Muscles, look, let’s put these four on the benches. Anybody looking in will think it’s us sleeping,” Biff suggested in a whisper.
“Smart,” Uncle Charlie agreed, nodding. The unconscious guards were carefully posed as drowsy prisoners. Chuba had taken a position just outside the door as this was being done.
“No more guards coming,” he called softly.
The four prisoners left their cell. Muscles motioned to the grandson for the keys. He turned the lock.
“Don’t know whether you’d call that a fair exchange,” he said, “but it’s an even one.”
“Come. We must lose no more time.” The grandson took the lead. The others followed. They passed through the room where Ping Lu had held court. A door on the other side of the room led to another corridor, this one narrower and shorter.
“Hope he knows where he’s going,” Biff said.