The hallman nodded. The door of the elevator closed and the car moved upward. Had the hallman noticed it, he would have seen that the indicating dial above the elevator door moved very slowly and that the car made a rather long stop at the thirty-fourth floor.
Inside the elevator, the passenger was working rapidly. Immediately after the door had been closed, he stooped and opened the bag. From it he drew a black cloak which he donned and raised so that the collar completely hid his face. He also drew out a pliable black hat which he adjusted to hide his forehead.
By that time, the car was at the thirty-fourth floor. It waited there while the black-garbed man produced two automatics from his bag. He deposited these beneath his cloak and tossed his original hat into the bag.
The elevator operator looked at him. The car went upward, to the fortieth floor.
Here, the door opened. The man in black remained hidden in the elevator. The operator stepped from the car. He walked across the anteroom of Doctor Palermo’s apartment and pressed the button.
The door swung open, and the huge form of Hassan blocked the entrance. The Arab looked questioningly at the elevator man.
“Important letter for you,” announced the operator, in a brisk voice. “Got it here with me.”
He fumbled in a right-hand pocket of his uniform. Not finding the letter, he tried a left-hand pocket. He brought out an envelope and extended it toward Hassan.
The huge brown man inclined his head slightly as he reached for the envelope. Like a flash, the elevator operator pulled his hand from his right pocket. He swung his forearm in a quick, short motion. A blackjack landed just behind Hassan’s left ear.
The Arab fell.