After a half-hour of this sort of progress he found himself in a
vacant lot near the edge of the city. There had been a building
in the middle of the plot of ground, but it had been burned down
and only a pile of blackened debris marked the place.

Reaching the corner of the streets that bounded the lot, Hanlon
made no pause, but started on a straight diagonal toward the
center of the lot. He stepped into a tangle of charred logs and
ashes, but forged ahead unhesitatingly, though slowly, and picked
his way by thrusting the toe of his shoe tentatively forward.

Mortimer, about three paces behind him, followed, unheeding the
rubbish he stalked through, and very evidently absorbed in doing
his part to its conclusion.

For the knife was hidden in the very center of the burned-down
house. A bit of flooring was left, on which Hanlon climbed,
Mortimer getting up on it also.

Hanlon walked slowly round in a circle, the floor being several
yards square. Mortimer stepped behind him, gravely looking
toward the hiding-place, and exerting all his mentality toward
"guiding" Hanlon to it. At no time was he nearer than two feet,
though once, making a quick turn, Hanlon nearly bumped into him.
Finally, Hanlon, poking about in the ashes with his right foot,
kicked against something. He picked it up and it proved to be
only a bit of wire. But the next moment he struck something
else, and, stooping, brought up triumphantly the hidden penknife,
which he waved exultantly at the crowd.