going to break the door down! Look out!"

The detective braced himself against the wall. He lunged forward and
crashed against the dark panel near the lock and bolt, with the energy
of a college fullback. He backed away and repeated the smashing blow.

"Hold on, Chief," Delaney said. "That's no use. The door is two inches
thick. I had a good look at it. Wait!"

Drew rubbed his right shoulder as Delaney turned toward the white-faced
butler.

"You get an ax!" he ordered. "Beat it, and get a big ax, quick!"

"The axes are in the furnace room, sir."

"Get one! Bring it right up, you. Hurry now!"

The operative turned toward Drew. "The only way, Chief," he explained.
"I've been in too many of Big Bill Devery's raids not to know how to
break down a strong door. I'm the man who took Honest John Kelsey's
house apart for him. It was built like a British tank."

The puffing butler appeared with a fire ax. He handed it to Delaney,
who eyed the edge with concern.

"Not sharp," he said, "but it'll do, at a pinch. Look out--everybody!"

Delaney waved the servants away. He moistened his broad palms. He swung
the ax and crashed its weight into the panel nearest the lock. He
followed this blow with another. He panted as he rained swinging
slashes at the dark wood. It splintered. An opening was made. This
opening was enlarged by short-arm jabs until Drew laid a hand on
Delaney's shoulder and called a halt. "Let me see," he said bending
down.

He straightened. He enlarged the chopped place with his fingers. He
ripped off the splinters until there was room for a palm to be
inserted. Delaney, dropping the ax upon the hall-rug, thrust through
his arm to the elbow. He bent his knee as he strained. His face screwed
into a knot.

"Is the key there?" asked Drew.

"Ye--s. I turned it. All the way, Chief. Here's the bolt. Both were
locked tight. Both locked, on the inside of the library."

"Remember that!" snapped Drew, squaring his shoulders. "Everybody
remember that. It may be important!"

Drew pressed Delaney aside. He seized the gold knob and turned it
slowly. He waited for a moment. Nothing sounded save the loud breathing
of the butler and the other servants who were crowded in the hall.

The detective jerked open the splintered door. He hesitated and
listened. He pressed aside the portieres with his left hand as his
right fingers coiled over the ugly hilt of a police regulation .44. He
advanced into the library, foot by f