Part 37 (1/2)

”The first point in my information is right, anyway,” muttered d.i.c.k. ”The rear door of Kahn's is open.”

Moving in the shadow of the building, he had paused not far away from the door in question.

”There were two of the fellows, the message said,” muttered d.i.c.k.

”In that case, I should think one would have been left outside as a lookout. However, the lookout may be just a little way inside of the door. It won't do to use my light now. I'll see if I can slip in and get close to the lookout before the thieves know there's anyone around.”

A step at a time Prescott softly reached the open door. He paused, listening intently.

”I don't hear a sound in there. I guess I'd better take a few very soft steps inside, and see if I can discover where the rogues are. That is, unless they have already bagged their booty, and have gotten away again.”

Just inside of the open door, d.i.c.k halted again. He listened, but there was no sound.

”These scoundrels are surely the original mice for soft moving,”

muttered the boy grimly. ”What part of the establishment can they be in? Hadn't I better slip out and get the police? I can't learn anything in here unless I use my light.”

Yet Prescott didn't want to turn on that flare. The light was much more likely to show him up to the burglars than to enable him to find men who were not making a sound.

So d.i.c.k penetrated a little further, and a little further, listening.

As he moved he was obliged to grope his way.

At last, however, he found himself confused as to the points of the compa.s.s. In this darkness, he was not even sure which was the way out.

”I'll have to use the flash now,” concluded d.i.c.k.

Taking the long tube from one of his pockets, he pressed the b.u.t.ton briefly, giving a flash that lasted barely a second.

”What was that?” muttered the boy, with a start, as the light went out.

Clearly enough, now, he heard stealthy steps. He was almost certain, too, that he distinguished the sound of low whispers.

”That flash has scared the rascals,” throbbed d.i.c.k Prescott.

”Now, if I can only locate 'em, and get out first! I may succeed in getting the police to the scene before both get away. One of 'em, anyway, I ought to be able to floor with this heavy cane!”

Transferring the light to his left hand, d.i.c.k took a strong grip of the cane. It did not eyed occur to him to be afraid in here.

He was trying to trap the burglars as a piece of enterprise for ”The Blade,” and that was all he thought about.

Suddenly there was a more decided step in the darkness. It sounded, too, right in advance of the boy who stood there guessing in the dark.

”Halt, where you are!” shouted d.i.c.k. ”And throw up your hands as high as you can, if you don't want to get drilled! Don't try to use your weapons, for I have the drop!”

It was sheer bluff, for the only thing with which Prescott could claim the drop was his cane.

Yet, in such circ.u.mstances, a bold front is half the battle.

Prescott bounded forward, boldly, at the same moment turning on his light.

The next moment, though he held the light, the cane dropped from his nerveless fingers.