“And accused of attempted burglary!”
“I don’t believe anybody in Cedarville will believe that charge, after we tell our story.”
“No, but they may think we were up to some trick—especially after that affair of the bell clapper.”
“Wonder if he’ll come back?”
“He’ll come soon enough if we try to break out of here.”
Each of the boys tried to open the door. But the key was still on the other side and they could not turn it.
“Not a thing to smash it down with either,” said Pepper, gazing around the storeroom. The apartment contained nothing but some odds and ends of books and bric-a-brac and an old ice-box which was empty.
Pepper knocked on the door, but for several minutes there was no reply to this summons. Then came the nervous tones of Jabez Trask.
“You keep quiet, or I’ll shoot right through the door!” shrilled the old man. “I’ve got ye! You can’t get away!”
“We want to talk this matter over,” said The Imp.