He was trying to locate Tom’s exact whereabouts.
The people of the house were sound asleep.
Dave, guided by the sounds uttered sotto voce by his commander, came as Blondin to the call of Richard.
“Where are you?” he whispered at last, outside the wall.
“In ’ere,” responded Tom. “Come round ’ere close; there’s an opening in the weatherboards. I’m locked in,” he explained. “See, if you can get the fastenin’ off the winder-shutter.”
“It’s a padlock an’ chain,” explained Dave from outside. “What will we do?”
“Do!” muttered Tom. “There’s only one thing to do—I got to get out somehow! Have a look at the door.”
“It’s locked,” whispered Dave through the keyhole.
“Ain’t the key outside?”