Anthony M. Rud

“ Master laughed. “My dear chap, you know more about this now than any live man in the world. I was just going to invite you to run along with me and tell me the story. The only point you do not understand, perhaps, that I know, is the purpose back of this whole grim establishment.” ”

“ The proceedings in the elevator and tunnel were the same as on the previous occasions.
Five minutes later I was seated at one of the tables inside, with five hundred dollars' worth of chips before me, gambling as I never had gambled before in my life. The game into which I went first was straight poker. I chose it because it was the card game with the highest stakes of the evening. I played carefully, yet with a desperation that meant I should win, given an even break in the luck.
That even break did not come to me at the straight poker table. ”

“ I tossed my guns, now nearly empty, to the floor, and reached for the two which had been dropped by my opponents. At that second a heavy body hit me from behind, and hairy arms twined about my throat. I crumpled to the floor, but in doing so I seized one of the guns. As my opponent landed on top of me I shot up under my left armpit, and he grunted. Another bullet and he fell off.
I was alone in the chamber! I looked about me, and to my surprise I saw what seemed to be an open furnace at the far end. The door was ajar, and the fourth man who had attacked me evidently had been stoking. ”

“ The whole thing was a gigantic scheme for making money, however. By their blandishments they induced hundreds of the richest men in this section to enroll. The gambling was for big stakes always, and always for cash. Then, when one member won a big sum of money he never came back. When he was starting home, carrying his roll, the floor of the tunnel would drop from under him, and he would disappear forever. Because of the way in which they laid their plans, the police never could solve the mysteries. At least twenty men have gone this way. ”

“ One fitted, and I tore off the padlock and swung the door open. A well-lighted corridor, empty of attendants, confronted me. Through this came a strong draft, bearing to me the indescribable—though somewhat sickly—scent of man mingled perfumes! the place reeked of human occupancy. I raced along this corridor, trying to orient myself. My chief concern was to find Elise, but how to begin this hunt I had not the slightest idea, and I knew that in a few seconds now the raid would commence. ”

“ In a second I knew these must be the attendants of the place. Every one of the men looked to be an out-and-out thug, while the women were most all of stamp one meets so easily. I chanced detection, and made out that Elise was not in the number.
Just as I was about to try the knob of the third door it opened slowly. Out of the aperture came an arm, holding an automatic revolver. One quick shot from my weapon smashed the hand, and instantly I kicked the door open. A man staggered back, cursing. ”