Dick smiled rather ruefully.
“It was,” he acknowledged. “And I’m very much afraid I smashed something when I landed outside.”
“Oh, that be hanged!” Holton exclaimed. “I don’t care a rip if it’s smashed to bits. But, by George! That was a gritty thing to do! You’ve sure got pluck. Did you have any trouble?”
“Not a bit after I got the hang of it,” Dick answered. “But I certainly had a sinking feeling when I first went up. Let’s go down and see how much damage has been done.”
They felt their way to the stairs and slowly descended. About halfway down they were surprised to hear some one stumbling toward them. The next moment a big body bumped into Dick and a pair of arms closed around him with a strength that nearly took his breath away.
“Thunderation, pard!” came in the Texan’s voice. “I’m sure a whole lot glad to get my paws on you. I could rise up on my hind legs and howl like a wolf. You had me near off my trolley till I saw your light coming back. I beat it over here quick. Did you catch him?”
“I did not,” Dick returned, his hand resting on his chum’s shoulder. “He came back of his own free will and let Holton loose. More than that, he was slick enough to get away again in the aëroplane before we could stop him.”
They had reached the lighted hall by this time, and started down the main stairs.
“What do you know about that!” Buckhart exclaimed. “He’s sure a slippery one.”