with you, anyway."

"I don't believe I'm afraid, thank you," smiled Hal.

One of the sailors, stepping ahead, pushed door open, going in first.
Hal followed, the other sailor bringing up the rear.

Then, like a flash, Hal Hastings felt him self seized on that dark
stairway, and a big hand held over his mouth.

Like a tiger Hal fought for a few moments. As nearly as he could judge,
in the dark, he had four assailants. He was overborne, at last gagged
and tied.

In the meantime Jack and Mr. Radwin had gone to the hotel dining room,
to find that the last diners had departed, leaving only a few waiters
who were arranging tables.

"No one here," murmured Radwin "Then we'll look through the billiard
room, writing room and other places. Young Somers must be with the
party somewhere."

Twenty minutes or more they spent in looking through the various public
parts of the big hotel. Then they returned to the lobby. Radwin was
limping, now, and looked uncomfortable.

"What's the matter?" questioned Jack.

"A nail in my shoe hurts me," lied the other, glibly, sinking into a
chair. "Benson, I reckon I'll sit here a few minutes. Then I'll get to