"If you can do that, and if we succeed in securing the villain, it will be a corking piece of work. I think it will prove the sensation of the hour."
"Listen," said Frank, "and I will tell you my plan."
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE FLAMES DO THEIR WORK.
Early that evening old Spooner returned, accompanied by an even more disreputable-looking old man than himself.
Felipe heard them slowly and laboriously fumbling their way up the dark stairs, recognized the sound of Spooner's cane, and flung open the door of his room that the light of his oil lamp might aid them.
"Bless you, boy!" panted old Spooner. "These stairs are dark—heathenishly dark."
"I see to-night you have with you a friend, señor,"' observed the Mexican boy.
"Yes, poor fellow. I have seen him much on the streets. He stays with me frequently. He is deaf and dumb."