Nodding, Biscayne urged the other men to back away from the radiator.
He motioned to Cardona. He pointed to one side of the radiator.
“You take that half,” he suggested. “I’ll take the other. Pull together — and stay away from the front!
Cardona nodded. Together, he and Biscayne reached forward, one from each side of the radiator. They slowly drew the separate sections.
Cardona’s face was tense. Keen anticipation showed on Biscayne’s brow. Slowly, the radiator swung apart on hinges at the end.
Simultaneously, Cardona, peering toward the wall, could see a little panel moving upward. This sliding device had been concealed behind the radiator.
“Easy,” urged Biscayne. “Don’t let these sections spring back!”
The panel reached the top of the opening, as the radiator portions reached a half-opened angle. The moving slide clicked.
There was a sharp report from a pistol. A puff of smoke whisked from the space behind the raised panel.
The sound was startling. Cardona gripped his half of the radiator. Biscayne did the same.