For the moment Alvin and Chester, startled almost as much as their friends, were mystified. When Chester said:
“That sounds like Mike’s voice. Hello, Mike, are you here with us?”
The failure to receive a reply proved that Chester was right. Their comrade had stolen off and was already in a “shindy” at the rear of the store.
“He may need our help!” called Alvin, starting for the stairs, with his chum at his heels. But Nora, who had heard the unguarded words, called in wild distress:
“Don’t leave us! Don’t leave us!”
They stopped irresolute. They could not abandon the two, and yet Mike’s life might be in peril.
“Go back to them,” whispered Chester. “There’s no call for both of us to stay.”
“Better not go down yourself; you know you have no weapon. Let’s take a look.”
First of all it was necessary to quiet the daughter and mother, for one was as much terrified as the other. Alvin hastened into the room.
“We will not leave you,” he said, “but we wish to see what we can from the kitchen window.”