"We'll have to get him some time, sir," said Frank. "We might as well do it now and have it over with. Two of us should land him without any trouble."
"You mean one and a half," replied Lord Hastings, smiling. "Don't forget you are hardly whole with that wound on your head."
"I think I can prove a little better than a half, anyhow," Frank smiled back. "Shall we break the door in, sir?"
"I have a better plan than that," replied Lord Hastings. "I'll blow the lock off. Stand back out of range of fire from the door. Davis is likely to shoot through it."
Frank did as commanded, and drawing his revolver, Lord Hastings placed the muzzle against the lock.
There was a flash, a loud report and Lord Hastings leaped quickly backward. And it was well that he did so; for a second later there came a second report and a bullet sped through the thin door and imbedded itself in the wall beyond.
Standing well to one side, Lord Hastings thrust out a foot and kicked the door open.
"Better come out, Davis," he said quietly.
"No, thanks," was the reply. "I'll get the first man who shows his head in the doorway."
Lord Hastings considered this point carefully. Then he said to Frank: