It was enough for Nick Carter.
Indeed, he had not waited for a reply. Even while he spoke to Chick he had begun to descend the steep ladder in the corner of the cellar.
With a bound he crossed the floor and picked up his assistant in his arms.
“Keep your mouth covered!” mumbled Nick Carter, through his handkerchief.
It was instinct that made Chick press his two hands over his mouth.
Nick crawled along, keeping as low as he could to avoid at least some of the strength of the poisonous ammonia.
The engine thudded unseen in another compartment of the big cellar, pumping more of the gas from the generator to the storage tank, whence some demoniac villainy had arranged for it to escape.
“This will be all for Solado and Miguel,” thought Nick, as he half carried, half dragged, Chick across the floor.
He had reached the bottom of the ladder, when a loud, derisive laugh overhead came to his ears. Then, with a bang, the door closed!
Instantly Nick dropped at full length, taking Chick with him.