“This was once used for an elevator,” said the Chinaman dryly. “It now has a better use.”
Sneaks Rubin was gloating. He loved death — for others, when he himself was well out of danger. He pointed to the cord and made a motion, indicating to Loy Rook to go ahead. The Chinaman waited a few seconds longer, surveying his victims with his hand upon the cord. Neither Cliff nor Harry spoke.
Loy Rook’s fingers closed upon the death rope. Harry shut his eyes instinctively; then opened them boldly. He would not give this monster the pleasure of seeing him show fear. He stared deliberately at Loy Rook.
As he did so, his eyes detected a motion of the hanging draperies that covered the front doorway of the sanctum. Loy Rook’s fist was clenched about the rope. His arm was about to pull—
A sharp report came from the doorway. A flash of flame burst through the curtains. Loy Rook’s arm fell.
The cord slipped from his useless fingers.
Harry saw the rope swinging as the Chinaman’s hand brushed away. His clutch had failed when the bullet had crashed into his wrist!
With a scream of anger, the old Chinaman wheeled and his other arm shot toward the rope. Loy Rook was intent upon reaching that cord before another shot could intervene. But the gun behind the curtain was too sure. It roared again. The bullet struck Loy Rook’s shoulder. The Chinaman, off balance, was staggered by the terrific force of the leaden missile. He sought to save himself, but all in vain. His foot slipped on the edge of the yawning pit. Headforemost, his arms and legs sprawling wildly, Loy Rook plunged screaming downward, headed for the death he had designed for his victims!
It was then that Harry shut his eyes. The dull fall from below was sickening. Loy Rook, pierced by the upright spikes, was crying out his agony. Two long screams — that was all. But even the thought of the monster’s doom brought anguish to Harry’s fevered mind.
Sneaks Rubin had stood petrified. Now he sprang to action. He was well away from the curtains, toward the narrow passageway that led to the steel barrier. With quickly clawing hand he sought to escape. He pressed the button on the wall and dived for the rear exit.