“Some one is knocking, sir,” ventured one of the men.
“Don’t open the door on your lives!”
“All right, sir.”
And away went the men to obey his orders.
The clamor outside now became furious.
“Frank Reade, Jr.!” yelled the detective’s voice. “Open this door in the name of the law or I’ll break it down!”
“He has discovered our ruse and come back!” laughed Frank.
“Do you hear me?” roared the officer, showering a volley of kicks and blows against the door. “You are breaking the law by harboring a criminal, sir, and it will go hard with you if you still refuse to let me take him out of there.”
“Go away,” replied Frank. “You can’t enter.”
“Don’t be rash. I have several officers with me.”