It has been said that Red Mike was a coward at heart. He proved it now.
With the muzzle of the automatic aiming at his heart he was no match for the sick man on the floor, who had now raised himself to one elbow and was smiling, well pleased by the turn that events had taken.
He raised his hands above his head as he had been commanded to do—and we need not repeat the language he used as he did so.
While he was swearing, Lynne slowly raised himself to his feet, all the time holding the gun in that threatening position.
Then he backed across the room toward a push button in the wall near the door, and with his disengaged hand, pressed upon it, and kept on pressing.
After a wait which seemed very long, which, in reality, was quite short, considering the hour, and during which Red Mike continued to swear and threaten, there was a sharp rap on the door, and, in obedience to Lynne’s summons, a manservant entered the room.
He came to a halt and stared when he saw the situation; but Lynne’s voice addressed him calmly.
“Lift that engraving from its place against the wall, Thomas,� he said. “I want you to use the wire cord to bind this fellow. Wind it two or three times around his wrists with his hands behind him; then ask him to sit down while you do up his ankles in the same manner.�
Lynne watched the proceeding while his orders were being carried out, all the time with that inscrutable smile on his face.
When it was done, he said: