The gleam of flashlights startled the members of the Seven. The shot of a revolver sounded cannonlike in the secret chamber as Joe Cardona and his men invaded the sanctum of the Silent Seven!
The detective had fired the first shot as a warning. Now came his cry of “Hands up” as he entered the room, his men ranging beside him.
The leader of the Seven had stopped short; now he retreated slowly, his hands above his head. He was directly in front of the hidden niche at the far end of the room. The other members of the Seven were motionless, their hands raised above their heads in token of surrender.
A low chuckle came from the leader of the Silent Seven. The sound was ominous. It presaged danger.
Cardona’s hand tightened on his automatic as he covered his enemy.
“Stand where you are!” ordered the leader of the Seven. “You have tried to thwart the power of the Silent Seven. Not one of you shall live to tell what you have learned!”
He pressed his hand against the wall. There was a flash. Jets of blinding light shot from the sides of the room. The brilliance of lightning filled the room.
The invaders were completely dazzled by the terrific glare. Instinctively they buried their heads in their arms, to protect their eyes from the danger.
But the members of the Seven had understood their leader’s action. They had closed their eyes beneath their dark hoods. The detectives were blinded and incapable of action.
Swiftly, as though in obedience to an implied command, the members of the desperate gang leaped across the room to join their leader.