Dorothy stopped firing and Bill Bolton hobbled up the porch steps.
"Jumping Jupiter! girl, you're a wonder!" he applauded. "Hold the Browning on 'em. They can't get away. I locked those doors from the outside. Crawled through the wine cellar window to do it," he panted. "Thought it might embarrass them some--but this stunt of yours makes it perfect."
He took a step forward and raised his voice.
"Stick 'em up!" he cried. "Stick 'em up--every one of you--that's better. Now line up, facing the back wall--and remember--just one bad break is all Miss Dixon wants to rip off another belt--aimed right, this time--" he added significantly.
As the gangsters scrambled to obey his orders, Bill walked into the room and Dorothy saw that his wrists were still handcuffed behind his back.
"Who's got the handcuff key, Mr. Conway?" he inquired.
"Johnny, I believe," returned Mike quietly.
"Johnny, have you the key?" This from Bill.
"Y-yes, I got it."
"Got a gun?"