To say that Nick was disgusted with himself but feebly expresses his feelings. At the critical moment he had permitted a woman to outwit him! “I am not in the killing business myself,” said the woman, “but there will soon be a person here who has no scruples in getting rid of spies and murderers.” Nick took the chair without a word. His hope was now in Chick. “You’re after Hughart, are you?” she asked. “You know what we want,” replied Nick. “Why not make it an even thing for both sides?” “Oh, you want to compromise, do you?” sneered the woman. “That bum waiter you sneaked in here got his a moment ago. And the rest of your crowd has just been taken away by the police.” The detective did not believe this. There was still too much excitement at the front of the building. Presently the noise grew louder, seeming to come from the room in which Chick had left him. Then the lights were shut off, and again he was in darkness. He heard the sounds of a struggle, but had no means of knowing whether it was the police or the syndicate gang. Then came a shout: “Kick in the doors, boys. He is here somewhere.” This was followed by heavy blows, and a door fell with a crash. Then another, and in a second the door to the room where he sat was attacked. He sprang to a corner of the room and waited, his revolver ready at his hand. When the door fell, three men bounded into the room. They were not policemen, but members of the syndicate. One of the men advanced toward Nick. “Here he is,” he shouted. “Now, hurry up. It’s a fight to get out, I suppose.” CHAPTER XXV. A DESPERATE RAID. Nick was dragged to the square of light in front of the open doorway. He appeared to be still under the influence of liquor. The men regarded him with rage and dismay, holding him fast in the meantime. “This is not the man we want,” one of them shouted. “Who are you?” demanded another. Sounds of advancing footsteps were now heard from the direction of the private staircase. “Quick!” cried one of the men, seizing Nick by the throat. “Is there any way out of this cursed hole? The cops are after us.” “They brought me here to rob me,” faltered the detective, “and I can’t find the way out.” “Some cheap sport,” cried one of the gang. “Come on, boys!” But Nick had no idea of permitting the men to escape. He had no way of knowing how many members of the gang had been taken by the police, but he was determined that these three should not get away. He knew that in such dens as he then found himself there were often double doors, the second one of metal and sliding down from the upper casing. The Dominion had for years been the resort of thieves and murderers, and it would not be strange if something of the kind should exist in the room where, he had no doubt, many persons had been shot from the secret panel from which he had been threatened.