The muzzles of two machine guns appeared through the slatted sides of the truck. They gleamed in the lights from the dock. Bart Hennesy stood in amazement as he saw that his men were covered by the guns.
“How do you like that?” questioned Hoke Larrigan sarcastically. “And how do you like this?”
Like a flash, he pulled an automatic from his pocket and fired three shots into Bart Hennesy’s body. The king of the dock wallopers fell dead. Not a person moved. Larrigan turned to Spunk Hogan.
“You want the same?” he questioned.
Spunk shook his head. He was too bewildered to answer.
Hoke Larrigan looked about him triumphantly. He knew that there were dozens of dock wallopers who were ready to avenge their fallen leader; but the threat of the machine guns cowed them. No one dared to start the trouble.
Now was Hoke’s opportunity. With Bart Hennesy dead, and Spunk Hogan trembling for his life, Hoke could declare himself the king of the docks. He hesitated only because he was uncertain whether he should spare Spunk Hogan. He grinned as he looked at Hennesy’s cowed lieutenant.
Low voices were talking in the small truck that had virtually escaped attention.
“Hold on until the fracas stops,” warned Cliff Marsland. “We’re here to make it a fair fight.”
“Then here goes!” blurted Nipper. Nothing could restrain the little gangster. He considered Bart Hennesy an ace among racketeers. Before Cliff could restrain him, Nipper had raised his gun.