"Now what is the meaning of this?" the Master demanded, facing the group.
"Who called this meeting?"
"Why, didn't you?" Holloway asked blankly.
"I did not."
"All I know is that I heard the clock strike an extra stroke," Holloway explained. "I thought it was queer to be having another meeting so soon.
Then I found Charley wasn't here--"
"Charley not here!" the Master exclaimed.
"He must have stepped out somewhere. The lights were on, and the door partly open."
"I don't like this," the Master said, his voice harsh. "Charley has no right to call a meeting without a special order from me. It is becoming increasingly dangerous for us to gather here."
"Now you're talking!" Holloway nodded. "Anthony Parker of the _Star_ is on the warpath again. One of his reporters has been prying into the books of the County Cooperative."
"He'll learn nothing from that source, I trust."
"Not enough to do any harm."
"You act as though you had a grievance, Holloway. Any complaints?"
"Why, no, the Cooperative has made a lot of money since you've taken over. We want to go along with you, if your flare for the dramatic doesn't get us in too deep."
"What do you mean by that, Holloway?"
"This night riding business is getting risky. Why, if Clem Davis should talk--"
"We're not through with him yet."
"Another thing, most of us never did approve of holding meetings here at the Tower," Hank Holloway went on. "It's too public a place, and sooner or later someone will start asking questions about what goes on."
"Anything else?"
"Well, we think you ought to show yourself--let us know who you are.
We're all in this together, and we ought to take the same risks. I've been carrying the heavy end."
"That settles it!" the masked man said with finality. "We're through."
"How do you mean?" Holloway asked.
"We're breaking up the organization--now--tonight."
"There's no call to do that."
"Holloway, you do a lot of talking and not much thinking," the other snapped. "This will be our last meeting. We'll divide the profits, and for a time at least, remain inactive."
"That's all very well for you," Holloway complained. "You step out of it without anyone even knowing who you are. But some of us are tied up with the County Cooperative. If there's any investigation, we'll take the rap."
"There will be no investigation."
"That's easy to say," Holloway argued. "I don't like the way things have been going lately. If we're breaking up, we have a right to know who you are."
"Sure," chimed in another. "Remove your mask, and let's have a look. We think we have your number but we ain't positive."
"You never will be," the masked man returned coolly, backing toward the door. "And now, goodnight."
"Oh, no, you don't!" Holloway cried, trying to head him off.
"Stand back!" ordered the Master harshly.
From beneath his robe he whipped a revolver.
"All right," Holloway sneered. "I never argue when I'm looking into a muzzle."
Before the Master could retreat, there was another disturbance from inside the machinery room. Unmistakably, the door rattled.
"Someone is in there!" Holloway exclaimed.
Startled, the Master postponed his flight. Still holding the revolver, he tried to open the door, but found it locked.
For those hiding on the stairway, the situation had become a tense one.
In another moment, the members of the Black Hoods unquestionably would break the door lock and find Charley Phelps.
"Let's take 'em, Chief!" whispered Jerry, who was eager for action. "Now is our only chance."
"All set!" Mr. Parker gave the signal.
With a concerted rush, the four young men leaped down the stairway, hurling themselves on Holloway and the masked man. Catching the latter unaware, Jerry knocked the revolver from his hand and it went spinning over the floor.
Penny started down the stairway, but Mr. Parker pushed her back.
"Stay where you are!" he ordered as he too joined the fray.
Penny huddled against the wall, watching fearfully. Her father and the reporters outnumbered their opponents by one man, but the Hoods were all strong, powerful fellows who fought desperately. A chair crashed against the lamp, shattering it. In the resulting darkness, she no longer could see what was happening.
Suddenly a figure broke away from the general tangle of bodies and darted toward the circular stairway. For a moment Penny believed that he must be one of the reporters, then she saw that the man wore a hood over his face.
"The Master!" she thought, chills racing down her spine. "He's trying to get away, and I've got to stop him!"
CHAPTER 24 _TIMELY HELP_
As the black-robed man started up the stairway, Penny attempted to block his path. Failing to trip him, she seized his arms and held fast.