Part 45 (1/2)
”And there is that woman!” added Sam, as another form appeared and vanished.
”I'd like to know if Dora is there,” murmured d.i.c.k.
They waited for a minute and saw several shadows pa.s.s and repa.s.s the curtain. They were sure Nellie was there but were not so certain about her cousin. The woman was Mrs. Sobber beyond a doubt.
”If they leave the girls in that room and alone--with that window unlocked----” began d.i.c.k.
”The woman may stay with them,” interrupted Tom.
”Get back--somebody is coming!” whispered Sam, and dragged his brothers down, behind some rose bushes.
Two persons were coming out of the old mansion. One carried a lantern and what looked to be some bed slats and the other a ladder. They were Tad Sobber and Jerry Koswell.
”Do you think the ladder is long enough?” they heard Koswell ask.
”I guess so--I'll soon see,” answered Tad Sobber.
The pair walked around to the side of the house and the ladder was placed in position under the window of the room the boys had been watching. Then Sobber went up with the slats, and some nails and a hammer, and commenced to nail the slats across the window.
”He's going to make a regular prison cell of the room!” whispered Tom.
”Oh, if only I dared to run in and yank that ladder from under him!” he added, with grim humor.
”Hush, or they'll hear you,” warned d.i.c.k. ”I am glad to see this,” he went on, in a low whisper. ”It shows that they think they haven't been followed and are safe. Now to get to the nearest town, notify the authorities, and bag the bunch of them!”
”If we could only get some word to the girls,” murmured Tom.
”Yes, Tom, that would be very nice. But we can't afford to take the chance. If some of those rascals get away, sooner or later they'll make more trouble for us.”
”I know that.”
”I think one of us might remain here on guard, while the others go to town for help.”
”How are you going to get to town?”
”I've got a plan for that,” and d.i.c.k smiled faintly. ”I'll make our friend, the chauffeur, do us a good turn.”
”What, will you go in that touring car?” cried Sam.
”Why not? It's a big, roomy car, and can carry a lot of officers of the law. And we know it can make speed.”
”All right, d.i.c.k, go ahead. I guess you know the right thing to do.”
After a few words, it was decided that Tom should remain on guard while d.i.c.k and Sam went for a.s.sistance. d.i.c.k cautioned Tom not to show himself.
”If you do, you may spoil everything,” said he.
”All right, I'll lay low,” answered Tom, ”that is, unless I find out that the girls actually need me,” he added. ”I won't stand it if that old woman, or Crabtree, illtreats them.”