Part 62 (2/2)
”Will you shut up!” roared Allen, turning white with rage. ”One would think, by the way your tongue rattles, that you had been drinking.”
”Only had a couple of gla.s.ses,” returned Samuels, coolly. ”So don't get worked up, Allen.”
Hal listened to this conversation with deep interest. It revealed why Allen was so bitter against Horace Sumner, and so willing to cheat his partner.
”But I don't understand about that child business yet,” muttered Hal to himself.
While the others were talking Hardwick had been examining the closets, and he now came to the one in which the others had placed Hal.
”Hullo! here he is!” he shouted. ”Well, how do you feel, you beggar?”
the last to the boy.
”Not very well,” replied Hal coolly. His hands were now loose, but he kept them behind him.
”You'll feel a sight worse before we are done with you,” returned Hardwick, grimly.
”What do you intend to do with me?”
”You'll see soon enough,” said the ex-book-keeper.
He turned to the others, and as he did so Hal bent down and freed his feet.
”By Jove! he's loose!” cried Parsons, glancing around.
”Yes, and I intend to stay so,” cried Hal, stepping into the room.
”Hardwick, I want that tin box.”
”Ho! ho! hear him talk!” exclaimed Hardwick. ”Jump on him, boys!”
”Stand back, every one of you!” cried Hal. ”I am not alone here. There is plenty of help!”
He uttered the last word loudly, and on the instant the doors leading to the dining-room, and the one from the library opened, and Horace Sumner stepped into the parlor, followed by the two officers.
”Trapped!” howled Allen. ”Macklin has either been outwitted or he has played us false!”
The two officers held pistols in their hands, and they lost no time in coming to the front.
”Surrender, all of you!” cried one of them.
”Never!” cried Allen. ”Do you think I am to be caught like a rat in a trap?”
He made a dash for the hall-way, and was quickly followed by Samuels.
But the two policemen were too quick for the pair, and they were speedily overtaken, and then a desperate struggle ensued.
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