With his left hand still on the switch, Garry drew an automatic with his right. No use to let this fellow spoil the game. Garry decided to step out of the closet and order the man to depart.
At that instant, something made the gangster delay.
The Chinaman was looking at the secret panel that led to the blind tunnel. He strode across the room and placed his hand upon it. The panel opened suddenly. The man walked in.
Acting instinctively, Garry pulled the switch. The steel curtain dropped.
Garry laughed gleefully, like a child with a new plaything. He had trapped the intruder — the man who had disobeyed!
Still chuckling mercilessly, Garry reached for the cord to release the flow of gas.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE TRAP IS SPRUNG
GARRY ELVERS smiled as his fingers felt the smooth rope. His murderous instinct was at its highest pitch. He had shot men down in gang wars; but never before had he known the elation of tricking a victim to his unexpected doom.
Garry’s killings had usually been followed by flight. Here was his first chance to gloat over a helpless foe. He paused to wonder whether the gas would poison or simply overpower.