In fact, the very presence of the secret panel convinced him that the room was not protected by only a wooden door. If anything of the sort existed, there should be a push button on the outer casing. He was already in the doorway, where he had been thrust by the gang for close inspection, and before they could move out he made a quick examination. The button was there, and he stepped outside and pressed it. As he expected, a metal door slid from above and covered the opening. The women had been too sure of him to use the door, and had been too excited to think of it when the gang arrived. As the metal door shot down, Nick saw Chick in the room behind him, but he disappeared in an instant, much to the amazement of the detective. Then a familiar voice came from beyond the door: “Throw up your hands in there! I have you covered!” Then Nick remembered that Chick had informed him that he was thoroughly posted regarding the Dominion. The means used to trap victims was now being used in the interest of the law. Chick was there at the secret panel. Nick wondered if the outlaws were obeying orders. He looked about for some way of reaching Chick, and saw a door at the left of the metal one. Opening this, the detective found himself in a narrow hallway, at the end of which stood his assistant, with two revolvers pointing through the little opening. “You’re a brick,” cried Nick. “What are they doing?” “Holding up their hands,” was the grim reply. “Hold them a moment,” said Nick. He stepped back to the room where he had left the women. “Where are the police?” asked the detective. “Sending crooks in by wagon loads,” was the reply. “Oh, you are detectives, are you?” said one of the women. Then she turned to Nick. “I would have killed you had I known,” she said angrily. “By the way,” said Nick, addressing the woman, “you may as well tell us where you have hidden Hughart.” “I know nothing about any such man,” came the scornful reply. “The boys will be back here soon, and then you will get what’s coming to you.” “The police are in charge of the place.” “But they didn’t get here in time,” sneered the woman. This meant, if it meant anything, that Hughart had gotten away before the raid, or while it was in progress. “Don’t be too sure of that,” was his reply. “The police would never have thought of coming here,” stormed the woman. “It remained for you to come sneaking in like a man ashamed of himself.” Nick had learned what he wanted to know. The police were in charge of the front part of the building, and were not likely to come there unless sent for. The crooks were scattered or under arrest, and the crooks had made themselves scarce, at least those who remained at liberty had. There was now no danger of his being disturbed in carrying out the plans he had decided upon. Taking a position at the panel, he asked: “Now who has the top hand?” The crooks swore volubly, and Nick laughed.