both got in, shut the door and pulled the wire cable.

Up they glided, story after story, without seeing him ascending the stairs.

He had gone up in an elevator from the floor above.

Above on the beams over the elevator shaft La Croix was crouching with a
big hatchet in his hand, as he peered down at the people ascending in the
cars.

He had detected them in pursuit and expecting trouble, he was waiting to
give the detectives a warm reception. He evidently recognized them without
their disguises.

As he caught view of his pursuers coming up in the car, he picked up the
hatchet he had found lying on the beam.

Raising it above his head, he brought it down upon the cable by which the
car was suspended, with all his strength.

The shock caused the Bradys to look up and they saw what he was doing.

Bang! went the keen blade upon the cable again where it crossed the wheel.

The weight of the car caused the wire rope to part where he cut it, and the
elevator's ascent was checked.

It began to fall with the detectives in it.