CHAPTER XXI.
IN A DANGEROUS PLACE.
Hal felt that his situation was a delicate one, and that he must go slow. Were it discovered that he had entered the den of vice merely for the purpose of spying, it might go hard with him.
The negro waved his hand toward the thickly carpeted stairway, and Hal ascended to the second floor of the mansion.
He looked behind to see if the negro had followed, but that burly individual had disappeared.
The upper hall-way was as dark as below, but from under several doors a bright light was streaming.
Hal approached the first one he came to, and, removing his hat, tried the handle.
The door came open, and Hal peered into the apartment.
No one was present, but a young man asleep in an arm-chair, and Hal stepped inside.
The room was gorgeously furnished, costly rugs covering the floor, and heavy curtains hanging over the doors. On the walls were beautiful paintings, and on a stand to one side of the room rested a remarkable piece of statuary representing three jolly gamblers at the gaming-table.