Now we'll go to the top floor," and
he took up a big poker, which was on a chair in the side hall.
"What's that for?" asked Bert.
"We may have to smash down a door or two, or pry them open. This is
the only thing I could find. Now come on."
They cautiously ascended the stairs. When they reached the top floor,
they found a stout door barring their progress. Mort Decker tried to
insert the point of the poker in the lock, to force it, but, finding
he could not do this, he raised the heavy iron, to break the panels.
At the first blow there sounded from the other side of the portal a
cry:
"Help! Help! Let me out!"
"Who are you? Why arc you in there?" asked Mort, pausing in his attack
on the door.
Before he could distinguish the answer, if one was made, there sounded
from behind the two rescuers, a woman's scream, and they turned to see
Mrs. Blarcum rushing at them.
"Come away from there!" she cried. "Come away! Mr. Muchmore doesn't
allow any one there!"
"I don't care what he allows!" retorted Mort. "We're going to get at
the bottom of this mystery!"
Once more he rained a shower of blows on the door.
"Get away from there!" cried the old woman, rushing up, and grabbing
the stenographer by the arm.
Pages:
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189