The first blow smashed the door loose on its fastenings; the second one sent it clattering, to the floor, and the detective, still with the ax in his grasp, leaped across the open space, and into the anteroom beyond.
Here, another door - a much less substantial one gave upon the gambling room proper, and another blow of the ax - against that one sent it crashing into the room so that it fell several feet away from them; and the opening disclosed a group of men who had started to their feet, with frightened faces, and terrorized demeanor - for the crashing of the two doors had followed one upon the other so closely that they had not had time to do anything.
The room was brilliantly alight, notwithstanding the gloom without- and it was evident at a glance that the attacking party had arrived on the scene none too soon, for the men had made every preparation for leaving.
On the tables around them was such baggage as they possessed, showing that they had made ready to take everything away with them, and to leave nothing which might betray the late uses to which the gambling-house had been put.
Nick also discovered in that first view he had of the interior of the place, that Dumont had spoken the truth.
There was exactly ten men there, and one of them ---he who now shrank to the background-was Mustushimi himself, showing, his teeth in a snarl of abject fear, and realizing that he was caught at last.
It was plain also that the men -who were surprised almost out of their wits, expected that they were attacked by a large force, and did not dream that the two who leaped into the room were the only ones they had to fear for the moment; and when, an instant later Chick appeared, followed by the senator, and appeared, too, from the rear room where luncheon is sometimes served, they seemed certain of this view.
Without hesitation they threw up their hands, and stood there trembling, not knowing what was to happen next, for Mustushimi had just been relating to them the awful experiences in the house in the northeast section of the city, where he said he had been almost killed by electricity.
These men did not know that there was not some such arrangement prepared for them, and they cowered down fearfully.
Spies of that sort are rarely brave men, and these certainly were not.