Page:The Secret of the Old Mill.pdf/224

 Rick's legs flexed and he rose to a half crouch. He didn't know whether Scotty meant to run or fight—and there wasn't time to ask. Footsteps advanced toward their hiding place. "Bring your soldering iron," the bearded man said, his voice almost above them, "we'll solder the connections to the intermediate stage."

A foot scraped only inches from Rick's head and the sweat rolled in driblets down his chin. They had to discover them, and any second now.

"I have the crystal," the voice went on. "First we will—" He stopped, biting off the word.

This was it!

With fist poised, Scotty sprang to his feet and charged. He drove his arm forward, straight at Kogan's stomach. The man went down and Scotty yelled, "Come on!"

Rick sprinted hard behind his pal, across the room. They bowled over the bearded man and shot straight for the door. But the third man had anticipated the move and was waiting for them.

The thug caught up a piece of pipe and poised it as Scotty ran toward him. Rick caught his breath as he saw the length of pipe arch up, but Scotty feinted with his feet to draw a swing from the man and then, as the pipe swished harmlessly by, floored him with one punch.

"Beat it!" he yelled, and headed for the door. But before they had taken two steps, a voice rang out behind them.

"Stop, or I fire!" It was the bearded man. In his hand was an ugly pistol—a Luger. It looked big as the end of a water main as it was shifted from Scotty to Rick.