"Surrender, all of you!" cried one of them.
"Never!" cried Allen. "Do you think I am to be caught like a rat in a trap?"
He made a dash for the hall-way, and was quickly followed by Samuels.
But the two policemen were too quick for the pair, and they were speedily overtaken, and then a desperate struggle ensued.
In the meantime Parsons tried to jump through the door-way leading to the library. In order to do this he had to pass Horace Sumner, and putting out his foot the old broker sent the man sprawling to the floor, and then ended his struggles by sitting down on him so suddenly that Parsons' wind was knocked completely out of him.
Hal still confronted Hardwick, whose eyes were fairly blazing with passion.
"Give me the box!" commanded Hal. "Quick! I mean what I say."
Instead of complying Hardwick made a vicious blow for Hal's head. The boy dodged, but in doing so slipped and went down on his back.
Before he could recover, Hardwick sprang for one of the open windows, and leaped through, carrying part of the long sash with him.
He had hardly disappeared when Hal was on his feet again. Without hesitation the youth followed through the broken window. Hardwick was making for the road, where stood a team of horses attached to a fine sleigh.