There was no one in the room below; and the lads sat down before the
fireplace to await whatever might transpire.

"There will be no use trying to escape," said their captor. "The place
is surrounded. You would be shot down like dogs. Now just be as
comfortable as you can. I have business elsewhere."

He wheeled about quickly and disappeared through the door and the lads
heard him lock it after him.

"Well, why are we allowed to sit here in solitary glory?" asked Frank.

"Ask me something easy," returned Jack. "We're here; that's all I know
about it. However, I don't imagine we shall be here alone very long."

And he was right, although the first corner could not possibly have been
in his mind, nor the nature of his coming.

Jack's attention was attracted toward the window by a slight squeaky
sound. The lad glanced toward it, but no second sound followed
immediately.

"Sounded like some one at the window," he said to Frank.

"I didn't hear anything," said the latter.

A moment later the noise came again. Jack sat up straight in his chair.

"Hear that?" he asked.