They came to the little steel stairs that led to the trapdoor and the roof. Verbeck tried to open the door, and found that it was fastened on the outside.
"Either the Black Star or some of his men are up there!" Verbeck said. "The door wouldn't be locked on the outside, otherwise."
One of the detectives had procured a fire ax from the hall on the floor below. He ran up the steel stairs and attacked the heavy door vigorously. The chief sent a man for another ax.
More officers had come up the stairs now, and stood at the bottom of the steel steps, waiting for the trapdoor to be opened.
"As soon as we get through, rush up there and go at them," the chief directed. "We don't know how many are up there, so be ready to mix it! Shoot, if you have to, but get him alive if you can. And look out for vapor guns and gas bombs!"
"Somebody on the roof is asking for you, chief!" the man with the ax called down.
The chief hurried up the steps. "Well, who is it?" he demanded.
"This is the Black Star. Can't you recognize my voice? Still practicing violence, I see, and this time on a door!"
"Well, what do you want?" the chief cried. "Do you want to give yourself up?"
"Certainly not, my dear chief. I just wanted to let you know that I was here."
"And we're going to get you!" the chief cried. "If it is necessary we'll get you with a gun! If you start using that vapor stuff when we get the door open, my men will shoot. Understand that? I'll give you one minute to surrender and open the door!"
"Why on earth should I do such a thing as that?" the Black Star wanted to know.
"Because you are at the end of your rope, that's why!" the chief replied. "If you try to go down a fire escape, you'll be plugged. And that's the only way you can get off the roof."
"I have no intention of going down a fire escape," the Black Star replied. "I give you my word of honor--or dishonor, if you prefer it that way--that I shall descend no fire escape to-night. Does that satisfy you?"
"Dear me, no! I couldn't think of it. I have had a very pleasant evening, chief--very pleasant indeed--and profitable, also. By the way, did you get your letter?"
An exasperated chief descended the steps and motioned for the detective to go to work with the ax again. The heavy blows began raining against the door. Between them, they could hear the Black Star laughing.
