He had no way of knowing how many members of the gang had been taken by the police, but he was determined that these three should not get away.
He knew that in such dens as he then found himself there were often double doors, the second one of metal and sliding down from the upper casing.
The Dominion had for years been the resort of thieves and murderers, and it would not be strange if something of the kind should exist in the room where, he had no doubt, many persons had been shot from the secret panel from which he had been threatened.
In fact, the very presence of the secret panel convinced him that the room was not protected by only a wooden door.
If anything of the sort existed, there should be a push button on the outer casing.
He was already in the doorway, where he had been thrust by the gang for close inspection, and before they could move out he made a quick examination.
The button was there, and he stepped outside and pressed it. As he expected, a metal door slid from above and covered the opening. The women had been too sure of him to use the door, and had been too excited to think of it when the gang arrived.
As the metal door shot down, Nick saw Chick in the room behind him, but he disappeared in an instant, much to the amazement of the detective. Then a familiar voice came from beyond the door:
“Throw up your hands in there! I have you covered!”
Then Nick remembered that Chick had informed him that he was thoroughly posted regarding the Dominion. The means used to trap victims was now being used in the interest of the law.