said between swollen lips, "Captain
Douglas will get here."

"If!" Rick echoed.

Red Kelso called through the door. "Okay, you kids. Open up and we'll
make things easy on you. But if we have to break the door down, it'll
be rugged."

The boys looked at each other. Carrots grinned. Rick didn't like the
grin. He yelled back, "Try to come through that door and we throw your
son out the window!"

Carrots turned white.

"Stop talking like a fool and open up," Kelso demanded.

"We warned you," Rick yelled.

There was a solid thump as shoulders hit the door. Rick cast a
desperate look at Scotty. The door wouldn't hold long. Scotty winked
at Rick and jerked his chin at Carrots' back.

"Out the window with him," Rick growled. He lunged forward and took
the boy's legs. Jerry, who had caught the wink too, took his shoulders
while Scotty kept a wristlock clamped tight. They rushed Carrots to
the window and Rick let go long enough to throw up the sash. Then they
lifted Carrots to the sill.

"Pop!" he screamed. "They're throwing me out!"

The thumping at the door ceased. The elder Kelso called, "Keep your
head, Jimmy. They don't dare. They know we're comin' in, anyway, and
if they throw you out they haven't got a chance."

Kelso had spoken the exact truth, and the boys knew it. They let
Carrots slump to the floor. "Get close," Scotty said. He spoke into
Carrots' ear. "One peep out of you and I'll break your arm. Listen.
We've got to have help and quick. Who's the fastest runner?"

"Jerry," Rick said promptly. The reporter had been a sprinting
champion in school. "Are you okay now?"

"Fine. What's your plan?"

A door panel splintered as shoulders crashed against it. Good thing
there was little space to stand out there. The smugglers couldn't get
much leverage. Scotty talked fast. "We'll unblock the door and open it
suddenly, then, Rick, you dive into the mob. They'll be off balance
because the stairs are steep. Jerry, you'll have to leap for it, over
their heads, and try to get away." He was behind Carrots and his wink
was concealed. "Carrots will help us."

"I won't," Carrots stated.

"You will," Scotty corrected, "and you'll say 'Pop, hold it a minute.
They want to talk it over.' Just like that." He twisted his hand
slightly and Carrots yelped.

Scotty marched him to the door. Rick and Jerry slid the furniture
away. The door was close to giving in now, the hinges starting to pull
loose. Rick put one hand on t