Nick knew that the very first blow of the improvised battering-ram against it would force it open; and he intended that it should be so. In that case, there would be no breakage, save that of the latch.As, he dashed up the stairs, having forced the senator to go before him, he wondered if the chief of the spies had bethought himself far enough to have planned a concerted attack on each of the houses.
The two men reached the second floor before the ram touched the street door; and then the detective said to the senator:
"Now, my friend, here is the place where you can assist me, and where you will have a chance to make use of some of that nerve of yours."
"As I told you before," replied the senator, "I brought it with me."
"Good! I don't doubt it."
"What do you wish me to do? Give your orders, and I will obey them."
"You are to stand here, at the bottom of the second flight of stairs, where you can look over the balustrade at the advancing men, but without being too plainly seen yourself."
"Yes."
"Keep out of sight as much as possible, and be careful not to draw a chance shot from any of them if it can be avoided: but I hardly think they will venture to shoot, now that there is a chance, as they view it, of capturing us without."
"Well?"