"Trouble back there, Bud," said Ted. "I guess some one is trying to get at Stella. Take a couple of the boys, and go back and stop it."
"What are you goin' ter do?" asked Bud, who was afraid the rescuing assignment would cut him out of the fight above stairs.
Just at that moment there was a tremendous explosion overhead, the crash of glass and the triumphant yells of the Gray Wolves.
"I'm going upstairs," yelled Ted. "When you've driven off or captured these fellows down here, come up."
At this he dashed away for the broad stairs that led to the upper story, followed by the broncho boys and Major Caruthers.
They had just reached the landing above when the yell of triumph turned to one of baffled rage, for the Wolves had found that the safe was empty.
Ted Strong, with a look such as a conquering warrior might wear, burst into the room where the Wolves were clustered around the empty safe.
Behind him followed the boys.
"Surrender!" shouted Ted.
The Gray Wolves wheeled to look into a perfect battery of rifles. Not to surrender meant death. To attempt to raise a hand would bring a shot, or a dozen.