A shot rang out, but it did not come from the gat wielded by Four-gun Spirak.
It was Monk Thurman who fired. His left hand had been hanging behind him. He had swung it upward the instant that Spirak covered him. The bullet from his automatic struck the hand that held the gun pointed at Monk.
Spirak’s revolver fell to the floor. With an oath, the Chicago mobster brought his other gun into play, but here again a shot interrupted him. A bullet crashed into his forearm, and his second revolver dropped from his nerveless fingers.
With two amazing shots, Monk Thurman had disarmed Four-gun Spirak, and had left him helpless, and unable to draw his two remaining weapons.
Hymie Schultz was prompt in action. He had been reaching for the money when the first shot was fired. He wheeled suddenly just as Thurman’s second bullet found its mark. He pressed the trigger of his automatic, but as he did, Thurman’s gun barked once more. Thurman’s shot struck the revolver held by Hymie Schultz, and the weapon clattered against the leg of the nearest roulette table. Hymie’s first shot crashed into the bar, grazing the arm of Joe le Blanc; and that was the only bullet that left his automatic.
Hymie Schultz gave a quick glance about him. He saw Four-gun Spirak staggering toward the door, and he made a rush in that direction. Marmosa fell upon him, and the croupiers joined in.
There was a melee at the door, as the Marmosa crowd struggled with the gangsters.
There was no opportunity for Monk Thurman to fire another shot, for he might have hit friends as well as enemies. Schultz and Spirak were being overpowered, and their capture seemed certain.
But Hymie was a redoubtable fighter. He freed his left hand and pushed aside the sliding panel. Then he managed to pull his second automatic from his pocket.
Marmosa seized Hymie’s wrist, but the wiry little gangster broke away. He pushed Four-gun Spirak through the open doorway, and with a snarl of vengeance, clubbed one croupier with his revolver, and leveled his hand to fire into his opponents.