THERE was too much going on to watch minor events around the Escadrille Apartments. Some of the tenants had been having decorating work done. One apartment on the third floor — occupied by a man named Howard Blake — was undergoing a complete renovation.
On this particular afternoon when Nick Savoli and Mike Borrango were planning their great campaign of reconstruction, several workmen had gone into Blake’s apartment, carrying their tools, and painting equipment.
The stalwarts of the Savoli mob were due to assemble. Machine-gun McGinnis and Brodie were already there. Two lieutenants — Spiker Condi and Texas Carey — were announced.
Steve Cronin, who had been acting as Savoli’s bodyguard, and who had done heavy work during the fighting days, was the last to put in an appearance.
The group gathered in the library. Mike Borrango left for a few minutes. He visited the third floor, to make sure that two gunmen were in the apartment below, that served as the secret means of exit from Savoli’s place.
The enforcer noticed a man in the hallway operating a vacuum cleaner that was attached to a plug in the wall. He was glad to see such evidence of peaceful activity, here in the Escadrille.
But Mike Borrango would have been surprised had he remained there. The man in the hallway moved the vacuum to the entrance of Howard Blake’s apartment. There another man joined him. They removed the cleaner from the hose; in its place they put a strange machine. A lever was turned, and a hissing sound followed.
The two gunmen in the third-floor apartment that was directly beneath Nick Savoli’s library were unaware what had taken place outside. It was their duty to challenge any one who might enter their apartment. They were watching for human beings; not for more subtle, invisible invaders. While they talked together, one was surprised to see the other gasp, and sink to the floor.
The remaining man was astonished for the moment. Then he bent to aid his companion. He, too, gasped, and fell unconscious.
Meanwhile, Mike Borrango had joined the others in Nick Savoli’s library. The big shot took charge of the meeting. He outlined what had been accomplished, and what was to be done.