“What is the meaning of this?” howled Grantley. “Who are you and what in thunder are you doing in my house, curse you!”
And with that he jerked out one of the drawers of a desk which stood beside the door and took out a couple of revolvers, one of which he started to pass to his assistant.
CHAPTER IV.
NICK STIRS UP THE ANIMALS.
Nick, Patsy, and Doctor Cooke had concealed their weapons in order not to provoke trouble unnecessarily. At this move on Grantley’s part, however, Nick whipped out his automatic and covered the surgeon.
“None of that, my man!” he commanded. “We’re all armed.”
The sharply spoken words and the steady muzzles of the three automatics—for Nick’s companions had followed suit immediately—froze Doctor Grantley into inaction for a moment.
One hand was still extended toward Doctor Siebold, but it had been arrested in mid-air, and the younger surgeon made no attempt to take the weapon.
All eyes were fixed upon Nick Carter, save those of his own companions.
“I don’t care a whoop whether you’re armed or not,” Grantley snarled, but he made no further attempt at aggression. As a matter of fact, he lowered his extended arm. “You can’t bluff me like that,” he went on. “What do you want here, anyway?”
He was trying his best to bluff it out, but it was obvious that he was not finding it an easy matter.