“By the way,” said Nick, addressing the woman, “you may as well tell us where you have hidden Hughart.”
“I know nothing about any such man,” came the scornful reply. “The boys will be back here soon, and then you will get what’s coming to you.”
“The police are in charge of the place.”
“But they didn’t get here in time,” sneered the woman.
This meant, if it meant anything, that Hughart had gotten away before the raid, or while it was in progress.
“Don’t be too sure of that,” was his reply.
“The police would never have thought of coming here,” stormed the woman. “It remained for you to come sneaking in like a man ashamed of himself.”
Nick had learned what he wanted to know. The police were in charge of the front part of the building, and were not likely to come there unless sent for. The crooks were scattered or under arrest, and the crooks had made themselves scarce, at least those who remained at liberty had.
There was now no danger of his being disturbed in carrying out the plans he had decided upon. Taking a position at the panel, he asked: