At a single bound Frank reached the other window and followed the man into the room. The fugitive was passing out through a door that led into the hall as Merry jumped in by the window.
Toward that door bounded Merry. It was slammed in his face.
It had a spring-lock, and for a moment it bothered Frank, who was compelled to pause to open it. By that time Hodge had reached the window of the room, into which he looked in great surprise, seeing that Merry was there alone.
“Where is the——” Frank heard no more of Bart’s question, for he tore open the door and leaped out into the corridor.
The fugitive had disappeared.
Frank went dashing along the passage, looking for the man, but seeing nothing of him. The fellow had disappeared in a most remarkable manner after leaving the room.
“Search, Hodge!” called Merry, and Bart joined in the hunt.
But though they searched everywhere, they found nothing of the man they were after. The hotel was aroused. The clerk in the office was notified, and he sent the hotel detective to join in the search.
But, after an hour of hunting, the searchers were forced to give up, as the unknown thief had not been found.
Then Merry went to the office and took a look at the register to find out who had occupied the room next to his—the one through which the desperate rascal had made good his retreat from the fire-escape.