Slade was picking up the envelope to give it back to Dick, along with the watch, when suddenly he stopped and stepped to the door, which was slightly ajar. He peered through the crack, and turned to nod to Dick.
"There's Reds now," he said. "Over at the other side of the big room. Sit tight a few minutes. I'll go over to get him."
He slipped through the door, and let it remain slightly opened. Dick, still thinking about Slade's explanation of Rajah Brahman's latest miracle, was not at all suspicious of the man's action. The door opened a few moments later, and two men entered.
Dick looked up, expecting to see Slade and the expected "Reds." Instead, he viewed two tough-looking ruffians, who paid no attention to him. They closed the door behind them, and took a position at a table in the corner of the little room.
Dick waited a few minutes. Then he arose, partly opened the door, and peered out. He closed the door, but not all the way. He went back to his table.
"Hey, you!" growled one of the newcomers. "Close that door! Leave it the way you found it!" The curt order awoke an angry response from the husky Texan.
"Who are you talking to?" he demanded.
"You — bohunk!" snarled the mobsman.
Dick was on his feet in an instant. Common sense would have told him that retreat was advisable, but he was no man to let an insulting ruffian get the better of him.
The fact that the ugly-faced gangster had a companion meant nothing to Terry. He would have acted the same had there been half a dozen.