In a few seconds Dick, Tom and Songbird were pressing on the door with all their strength. All stood on the top step of the cellar stairs.
"Now then, all together!" cried Dick, and they shoved with might and main. Then came a crack below them, and an instant later the cellar stairs collapsed, carrying them with it. As they went down in a confused heap the stairs struck the electric light and smashed it. It also knocked the shotgun from Sam's hand.
Bang! went the firearm, with a report in the narrow confines of the cellar that was deafening.
"I'm killed! I'm killed!" came from Larry, an instant later. "You've shot my hand off!"
CHAPTER XXIX
A WRECK AND A CAPTURE
"Get off of my fingers!"
"Please let me get out of this hole!"
"Say, how can I get up if you're going to sit on my legs?"