He walked to the door at the opposite end of the room, and pressed a button that was on the wall — the top one of four.
Slowly, the door moved upward, like a heavy theater curtain. It disappeared in the ceiling, its draperies vanishing with it. The body of Cliff Marsland lay huddled on the floor. With a cry of glee, Sneaks leaped forward and looked at the man’s face.
“This is the guy I knocked cold at Bodine’s!” he said gleefully. “The guy that double-crossed Clipper—”
“Bind him,” ordered Loy Rook, handing the gangster a length of cord.
Sneaks followed orders. Then Loy Rook assisted the gangster in carrying Cliff to the side of the large room. There was a low, narrow platform at that spot. Cliff’s form was deposited on one side, leaving room for another body.
Loy Rook pressed the second button. The next door went up. Harry Vincent lay in view. It was Loy Rook who uttered the words of recognition.
“This man was my secretary,” he said. “I have been watching him. He was not wise enough for Loy Rook.”
Harry was bound and deposited beside Cliff Marsland. Sneaks waited expectantly for Loy Rook to press the third button; but the Chinaman desisted.
“Wait,” he said. “Wait until they can see. Let them look when we find their dead master.”
LOY ROOK had scarcely ended his sentence before Cliff opened his eyes and stared about him. He tried to speak, but his jaws were helpless. He turned his head wearily and saw the form of Harry Vincent beside him. A minute later, Harry also regained consciousness. Loy Rook spoke, but neither of the bound men answered.