“If you scram,” declared Wheels, “they’ll follow us, sure. They’ll know it’s phony. But if you stay, keep mum and all that — they won’t know anything. You’ll get your split later.”
“All right,” said Big Tom reluctantly.
He went to the desk and turned a key in the lock just above the drawer. Wheels Bryant pressed the broad flat top. It slid back mechanically, to reveal an opening four feet square.
Wheels Bryant pressed a lever. A dull, mechanical sound was heard. Wheels waited, listening to another noise. The gunfire had ended. Men were pounding at the door to the office!
THE mechanical noise ended. The top of a little one-man elevator had reached the bottom of the desk, level with the floor. Wheels Bryant dropped the bag into the opening. He climbed into the desk, and pressed the lever.
His form, visible from the waist up, began to move downward. Wheels caught the edge of the desk top. It slid back and covered the shaft as he disappeared.
The door of the office was crashing. Big Tom stood trembling. Then, realizing that he would not have time to escape even if he wished, he leaped to the desk and fumbled with the key.
Down came the door. Police Chief Yates stood covering Big Tom Bagshawe with an automatic.
“Put them up!” he yelled.
Big Tom raised his hands, leaving the key in the lock. Chief Yates strode into the office.