Part 21 (2/2)
The youth's movement was so quick that the door made a sharp sound as the catch clicked. This was followed by the sound made by the key in the lock as Hal once more imprisoned himself.
Hal almost held his breath as he heard Churchley jump up.
”Who's there?” called the man.
Hal made no reply.
Then Churchley came and tried the door.
”Hullo! the door's locked!”
At that moment Hardwick entered, followed by Ferris.
”Somebody in the closet?” cried Hardwick.
”There seems to be.”
”Open the door.”
”I can't. It's locked.”
”Who is in there?” called the book-keeper.
Of course, Hal did not answer.
”Perhaps it was a rat,” suggested Ferris.
”Might have been,” grumbled Churchley. ”I know there are plenty of them in the building, because I once ran across one in the hall-way.”
”Where is the key?” asked Hardwick. ”We'll soon find out.”
”I don't know.”
”It ought to be in the lock.”
”Perhaps Jackson carted it off. He's an odd sort of a c.o.o.n.”
Hardwick looked around on the mantel and in several other places.
”It's gone.”
He came over and shook the door.
”See if the key is on the inside of the lock,” suggested Ferris.
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