“He could have, but maybe not. We sure went down fast.”
The strong flashlight was not trained on them again. It was beamed out a window of the tower in another direction, then turned off.
“Well, what say?” Joe asked. “Shall we go on up to the mansion and continue our sleuthing?”
Frank was of the opinion that if they did, they might get into trouble. Even if they had not been recognized, the person in the tower probably had spotted them.
“I’d like to find out who was in the tower,” Joe argued. “It’s just possible that the Applegates don’t know anything about him.”
Frank laughed quietly. “Don’t let your imagination run away with you,” he advised.
As the boys debated about whether to leave the grounds or to go forward, the matter was suddenly taken out of their hands. From around the corner of the tower rushed a huge police dog, growling and barking. It apparently had scented the brothers and was bounding directly toward them.
Frank and Joe started to run pell-mell, but were unable to keep ahead of the dog. In a few moments he blocked their path menacingly and set up a ferocious barking.
“I guess we’re caught,” Frank said. “And I hope this old fellow won’t take a piece out of my leg.”
The two boys tried to make friends with the animal, but he would not let them budge.