“O.K.,” agreed Big Ben.
The two men kept their eyes on the watch. Two minutes went by; then two minutes more. Ernie became restless.
“That phone ought to be ringing,” he said.
Three more minutes passed. Still no sound from the telephone.
Then, while Ernie still studied the watch, there came a sound that brought half the mobsmen to their feet in sudden excitement. The dull noise of an explosion had reached their ears.
It must have occurred somewhere within a dozen blocks!
“What was that?” demanded Big Ben.
“Don’t know,” replied Ernie, shaking his head. “I don’t like it. Somebody’s pulling something down this way! We’d better lay low until we find out what it is!”
One of the gangsters was starting toward the door to investigate. Ernie stopped him.
“Wait,” he warned. “We can look around later.” He turned to Big Ben. “I can’t figure what’s wrong up in the Bronx,” he said.