"Where is Mr. Kennedy?" demanded Elaine. Long Sin bowed again, spreading out his hands, palm outward.
"Mr. Kennedy? He is not here."
Then, straightening up, he faced the two women squarely.
"You have a ring that means much to me," he said quickly. "The only way to get it from you was to bring you here."
He was pointing now at the ring on Elaine's finger. She looked at it a moment in surprise, then at the menacing Chinaman, and turned quickly. She ran to the door. It was locked.
Long Sin, motionless, smiled. "There is no way to get out," he murmured.
Aunt Josephine was standing now with her back to the door leading into another room. She happened to look up and saw the secretary, who was near her and half turned away. From where she was standing she could see the murderous dirk up his sleeve.
She acted instantly. Without a word she summoned all her strength and struck him. The secretary stumbled.
"Elaine," she cried, "look out! they have knives."
Before Elaine knew it Aunt Josephine had taken her by the arm, had pulled her into the back room, and, although Long Sin and the others had rushed forward, managed to slam the door and lock it.