Chick was there at the secret panel. Nick wondered if the outlaws were obeying orders.
He looked about for some way of reaching Chick, and saw a door at the left of the metal one. Opening this, the detective found himself in a narrow hallway, at the end of which stood his assistant, with two revolvers pointing through the little opening.
“You’re a brick,” cried Nick. “What are they doing?”
“Holding up their hands,” was the grim reply.
“Hold them a moment,” said Nick.
He stepped back to the room where he had left the women.
“Where are the police?” asked the detective.
“Sending crooks in by wagon loads,” was the reply.
“Oh, you are detectives, are you?” said one of the women. Then she turned to Nick.
“I would have killed you had I known,” she said angrily.