"Have they? They have made all sorts of excuses, and at last they threatened. And just now, a moment before you appeared, I think they were contemplating rushing the door," replied Chick, with a grin.
"Good!" ejaculated the detective. "We will make ready for them, and then they can rush it as soon as they please-that is, if you have perfected all the arrangements I told you to fix," he added.
"Everything is ready," said the assistant.
"Did you call upon Major Sylvester, at police headquarters, as well?"
"Sure."
"And he agreed?"
"Yes. He was a trifle slow about it at first. Said it wasn't exactly right to leave the street unguarded even for a little while, when there would be such a row going on, but I assured him that nobody would be in any danger but ourselves, and that we could take care of that part of it. I finally succeeded in assuring him that it was really for the good of the nation that you should have your way for to-night, and he consented at last that there should not be a cop within blocks of here after ten o'clock. I assumed all the responsibility."
"Good!" said the detective. Then he turned to the senator and explained.
"You see, senator," he said, "I wanted things arranged so that Mustushimi would have a free hand for to-night. I wanted this part of the street left unguarded, so that finding it so, they would not hesitate to resort to extreme measures; and that is what they will do. By the way, Chick, let me introduce you. This is 'The senator from the West.' That is the only name we know him by, for the present."
"That is enough for me," said Chick, grasping his hand. "I have heard all about you, sir, from my chief, who has told me about that other affair."