“Very good, then. I have talked enough,” and he approached Jack. “It is time to act!”
CHAPTER X.
FRANK TO THE RESCUE.
Jack jumped to his feet, prepared to fight. But before he could strike a blow he reeled and fell to the floor. The German picked him up and laid him on the couch. Then, unlocking the door, he called softly. There was the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs, and a moment later two other men entered the room. One carried a physician’s case. He opened it and administered a drug to the unconscious boy.
Soon Jack’s lips moved slightly, a few muttered words became audible and the three men leaned nearer to catch them. The voice became stronger:
“I want my pay! Two pounds four! Oh, you would, would you! Then take that! I’ll go through the skylight! Well, I’ve got one of them, anyhow! Now for the next! Safe at last! I don’t want the gold! I want two pounds four!”
For an hour the Germans listened to monotonous repetitions of the same thing—then the effect of the drug wore off and the lips became silent. Again the drug was administered, but the effect did not vary by so much as a word.
During the experiment three shadows had crept silently upstairs. For just a moment they listened, and then the heavy oak door was pushed open, and, with Frank in the lead, the three entered the room.
Frank leaped forward, and with a heavy blow sent the man who was bending over Jack reeling. The latter drew a revolver and fired point blank at the lad.
But Frank had seen the move, and ducked, closing in as he did so, and the bullet sped harmlessly over his head, imbedding itself in the door. Frank grabbed the barrel of the revolver before the man could fire again, and twisted—striking out with his free hand as he did so.
Struck upon the point of the jaw, the German reeled back again, leaving his weapon in Frank’s hand. The lad followed up his advantage and struck his opponent another stinging blow. The man fell to the floor.