Part 14 (1/2)

”Mr. Wadsworth, get up, get up instantly!” cried Mr. Porter. ”You are wanted at the jewelry works. I just got something of a message from your watchman. Some robbers have blown open your safes and they attacked the man, but he got away long enough to telephone. But then they attacked him again, while he was talking to me! We'll have to get down there at once!”

”Roger, did you hear that?” gasped Dave. ”That's the noise we heard!”

”Yes, and they attacked the watchman,” responded the senator's son.

”I'm going back there,” went on Dave. ”The others will have to stop and dress. Maybe we can catch those rascals.”

”Yes, and save the watchman, Dave!”

By this time Mr. Wadsworth had appeared, in a bath-robe, and Dunston Porter also showed himself. Dave slipped on his shoe again and fairly threw himself into his coat, and Roger also rearranged his toilet.

”Wait-I'll go with you!” cried Phil.

”Can't wait, Phil-every second is precious!” answered our hero. ”You can follow with the men.”

”Take the gun, or a pistol-you may need it,” urged the s.h.i.+powner's son, as he started to dress.

In a corner stood Dave's double-barreled shotgun, loaded. He took it up.

Roger looked around the room, saw a baseball bat in another corner, and took that. Then the boys ran out into the hallway, where the electric lights were now turned on full. The whole house was in a hubbub.

”We are dressed and we'll go right down to the works,” said Dave. ”I heard what father said, Mr. Wadsworth. We'll help Tony Wells, if we can.” And before anybody could stop him, he was out of the house, with Roger at his heels.

”Be careful, Dave!” shouted his uncle after him. ”Those robbers may be desperate characters.”

”All right, Uncle Dunston, I'll watch out.”

”If you chance to see a policeman, take him along. I'll come as soon as I can get some clothing on.”

Tired though they were, the two boys ran all the distance to the jewelry works. When they got there they found everything as dark and as silent as before. They had met n.o.body.

”How are you going to get in?” asked Roger, as they came to a halt before the main door.

Dave tried the door, to find it locked. ”Let us walk around. The thieves may be in hiding somewhere,” he suggested.

They made the circuit of the works, once falling into a hole filled with snow. Nothing unusual met their eyes, and each gazed questioningly at the other.

”It can't be a joke, can it?” suggested Roger. ”Nat Poole might--”

”No, I'm sure it was no joke,” broke in our hero. ”Wait, I'll try that little side-door. I think that is the one the watchman generally uses.”

He ran to the door in question and pushed upon it. It gave way, and with caution he entered the building. All was so dark he could see absolutely nothing.

”I guess we'll have to make a light,” he said, as his chum followed him.

”Wait till I see if I have some matches.”

”Here are some,” answered Roger. ”Wait, I'll strike a light. You keep hold of that gun-and be ready to use it, if you have to!”

The senator's son struck one of the matches and held it aloft. By its faint rays the boys were able to see some distance into the workshop into which the doorway opened. Only machines and work-benches met their gaze. On a nail hung a lantern.

”We'll light this,” said Dave, taking the lantern down. ”You can carry it, and I'll keep the gun handy.”