The sheriff rang the bell again, waited for several minutes, gave those inside a last chance to come to the door. But he waited in vain.
"Can't afford to waste any more time," he told his men. "We saw that Blanchard woman go in there, and, from the way she acted before she did, I'm sure this is either the big crook's headquarters or where some of his people are living. Every minute we wait out here, we give them a chance to get ready for us. Two of you men remain outside and see that nobody gets away from the place; I'll call you if we need you inside."
Kowen signaled to one of his biggest deputies. The man advanced, put his shoulder against the door, pressed against it.
"Got it bolted, I guess!" he said.
He backed away, rushed forward, struck the door again with his shoulder, and burst the door open.
Sheriff Kowen and his deputies sprawled into the little front hall of the cottage!
CHAPTER VI
WHAT KOWEN FOUND
No volley greeted them.