Passing on, the wagon came at last to a halt before a good-sized barn. The two men leaped to the ground, and while one of them opened the large side doors the other proceeded to back the wagon to it.
As the two freight thieves then unhooked, and led their horses to the stable, there came to Jack’s ears a welcome tapping. “Are you all right, lad?” whispered the detective.
“Yes, O K, sir, though a bit nervous,” Jack acknowledged.
“Keep cool and we’ll soon have them where we want them. As they are going in to supper first we’ll not leave the boxes till then. That’ll give us just the opportunity we want to look around and arrange things nicely.
“Catch hold,” said Watts. Jack heard the detective’s box slide out, an “Up!” from Watts, the staggering steps of the men across the barn floor, and a thud as the box was dropped.
At what then immediately followed Jack for a moment doubted his senses. It was the voice of Watts saying quietly and coldly, “Now my clever friend in the box, kindly come out!”
They had heard Boyle’s exclamation when the box had fallen!
Scarcely breathing, Jack listened. Would the detective give himself up without a—
There was a muffled report, instantly a second, louder, then silence.