With sudden decision, Carpenter took the course that led to safety — even though it was fraught with danger. He opened the door to the living room. He stepped out to encounter the one gangster who was standing by the helpless girl.
The mobster sprang up as he recognized Carpenter. Finding himself covered, he raised his hands and stood snarling. Carpenter backed across the room and raised the receiver of the telephone.
“Hello — hello—”
The operator’s response came over the wire.
“Police to Suite 600,” ordered Carpenter tersely. “Help, quick. Armed men — attempting to kidnap Lois Grantham—”
He stopped short and dropped the receiver. The outer door was opening. The gangster who had gone outside was returning.
As Carpenter’s gaze wandered, the man whom he had covered saw a chance. The mobster dropped his hands and leaped to one side, drawing a revolver. Carpenter saw the menace. He fired twice. The gangster fell, wounded, as Carpenter turned to meet the invader from the hall.
Too late, Carpenter raised the revolver to fire. The other man had gained the draw. But as Carpenter, in that startling moment, saw new doom, a loud report came from the corridor, and the attacking gangster sprawled upon the floor.
With a mad dash, Carpenter rushed from the room. Again, he had been rescued by an unseen hand. But as he reached the hall, he saw that he was trapped. New foemen were springing into view. The gunfire had brought up Hooks Borglund’s reserves. They had chosen to attack — not to flee.
Keen with the excitement of battle, Carpenter met the attack. His first shot caught the leader of the gangsters. He fired again — again -