this is the place,” thought the reporter. “It's rather odd, though, that they dare adopt such a sign as that openly, when they must know we are on their track in connection with the safe-robbery. I wonder if I'd better go in.”
The question was answered for him, as, at that instant, the door opened. Mr. Newton saw before him a room brightly lighted. Around a table were seated four men. In front of them was the envelope which had been obtained by Peter at the cigar store. Peter was nowhere to be seen.
“Well?” inquired one of the men, a short, slim fellow.
“I was looking for a friend, a young man,” said Mr. Newton, rather taken by surprise.
“Yes, we know who it was. He brought this envelope. But it's no good. You can't fool us!” exclaimed a voice behind Mr. Newton, and the next instant the reporter was shoved into the room by the man with the gloves, who entered after him, and shut the door, which closed with a snap.
At first the reporter was startled with the suddenness of it all, and he was not a little alarmed. He knew he was alone, and in the power of the gang he had sought to run down. He was also in the worst part of the city, where cries for help might go unheeded, since there were hourly fightings among the inhabitants, to which cries the police, if they heard them, paid no attention.
Mr. Newton thought he had been a little hasty. However, he resolved to put the best face on it he could, and not to seem frightened.
“Well?” asked the short, slim man again. “Now you've seen your friend isn't here, what can we do for you?”
“You might give me back the stolen deed, for one thing,” exclaimed Mr. Newton, boldly, “and your friend Noddy might explain something in connection with a certain safe-robbery, while as for Mr. Perkins, he might tell what his plans are in connection with that land grab!”
There was a sudden stir among the men, as Mr. Newton said this. Two of the men got up from their chairs, and started toward the reporter, but a gesture from the man with the gloves restrained him. The latter then said, slowly and deliberately:
“You think you know a heap about us, don't you?”
“I know more than you think I do, Noddy,” said Mr. Newton, coolly.
“Well, you didn't play this trick right,” sneered Noddy. “We haven't opened that envelope, but we know it doesn't contain the agreement we want and intend to have. To prove you that, I'll tear it up without opening it.”
This he did, throwing the pieces into a coal box that stood in a far corner of the apartment.
“In the next place,” went on Noddy, “you've gone a little too far in following our messenger here. We expected you would do so, however, and made our plans accordingly. Now you're here you may have to stay longer than you counted on.”
“I guess not,” remarked Mr. Newton, speaking as lightly as he could, though he confessed afterward he felt no little alarm. “Remember, we're in New York.”
“No! We're not in New York! We're in Chinatown, and that makes all the difference in the world!” exclaimed Noddy. “Get the cords, Ned!”
The tallest of the four men rose, and went to a closet. He came back quickly with a long, thin, but very stout rope under his arm.
“Fasten him up now!” commanded Noddy.
“Not without a fight!” exclaimed Mr. Newton. He backed into a corner, and stood ready to defend himself. He caught sight of an iron poker near the coal-box, and grabbed it up.
“There's going to be some broken heads if you touch me!” the reporter cried.
The four men, with Ned, holding the cords, in the lead, hung back.
“Don't be afraid of him!” yelled Noddy. “You can get the better of him!”
Mr. Newton swung the poker menacingly.
“Try it yourself, if you're so anxious to get a cracked cocoanut!” muttered one of the men to Noddy.
Noddy made a motion as if to grapple with the reporter. But Mr. Newton, with a sudden motion, advanced, and stood in front of his enemy. Noddy reached his hand back toward his pocket, as if to draw a weapon. With a quickness that could not be guarded against, Mr. Newton swung the poker around, and brought it down on Noddy's arm, making the fellow howl with pain.
“You'll pay for this!” the man yelled.
Mr. Newton took advantage of the confusion which his attack had caused. He sprang to the door, and, with three blows from his weapon had shattered the lock. He threw the portal open, and dashed out into the hall.
“Stop him!” yelled Noddy.
“You're too late!” called back the reporter.
“You'll be sorry for this!” Noddy's voice sounded through the passageway, as Mr. Newton sped away. “We've only just begun our campaign against your friends. Our next move will not be so easy on you!”