“Now who has the top hand?”
The crooks swore volubly, and Nick laughed.
“I’m coming in there now to disarm you,” said Nick, “but I leave a chap here who can do pretty good shooting. The man who resists will be killed.” Then, turning to Chick, he asked:
“How many pair of handcuffs have you?”
“Two, but——”
“Never mind that,” interrupted Nick. “You stay here and shoot if one of them lifts a finger. I’ll lock the women in a closet.”
This plan was adopted, and in five minutes the three crooks were disarmed and handcuffed.
“I don’t believe you’re a New York policeman,” said one of the men, glaring at Nick. “They don’t do things in this way. We have been operating here quite a time, and this is our first experience of this kind.”
“You are not discreet,” smiled Nick as he handcuffed them.