It was noticeably dark and silent as they approached it, but that argued nothing, for the place was arranged so that no light from the interior could steal outside. Gambling-houses always are, in this part of the world.
Entrance to this particular house is had by means of a flight of wooden stairs or steps which ascend outside the building, on the landward side of it, to a platform at the top; and beyond that is a wide door which gives upon the gambling-room. This was now closed - that is, for gambling purposes, as the detective knew.
But it would be in that part of the house where the men, if they were there, must be found; for from that room the "getaways" are arranged, so that whenever the Virginia authorities bestir themselves enough to pretend to "pull" the place-which does happen sometimes-the gamblers will have no difficulty in making their escape, and in taking with them the expensive parts of the layout.
Nick knew about these "getaways", and so before ascending the stairs referred to, he sent Chick and the senator around to other parts of the building, keeping Patsy with him.
"You know about those 'getaways,' Chick," he said, before they separated. "Take the senator with you, and guard them. There are only two. If you can get through either of them, do so, and be prepared to meet me on the second floor, for I am going to smash the door in without a warning;" and then they noticed for the first time that the detective carried an ax in his right hand.
Followed by Patsy, he crept silently up the stairs to the top and then they tiptoed their way across tile platform to the door beyond it; and here the detective paused a moment, to put his ear against the door and listen.
"They are there," he whispered to Patsy. "I can hear them. Now. Ready!"
And he brought the ax down with all his strength,and with a resounding crash against the door, smashing it in with the first blow.