Contrary to their expectations they found the quality of the food much better than the appearance of the establishment would indicate and were grateful to Jimmie and Francois for their good offices.
As they were settling with the cashier, Jimmie glanced from the window and espied the suspected man standing outside, evidently waiting for them to appear upon the street. He had drawn back into the shadow.
For perhaps a block the boys walked together in a close group discussing the possibility of an attack and the best means to ward it off should it be made. Their attention was attracted by a low whistle. An answering signal at once came from across the street.
At that moment an automobile dashed up from the rear. As it drew up to the curb near the boys two men sprang out. Other forms were seen approaching on the run. The boys were surprised by the suddenness of this movement and were hardly prepared to resist so strong a force.
In the darkness of the street they could not measure the number of their opponents. They tried to keep close together, hoping thereby to better withstand the anticipated attack. Ned struck out bravely, landing a straight arm punch on the jaw of a man who appeared directly before him.
Apparently robbery was not the object of the assault. No attempt was made to disable the lads or rifle their pockets. They were seized in rough arms, while dexterous hands wound cloths about their faces effectually preventing an outcry. Their arms were securely pinioned. At a low spoken command the men lifted the now helpless boys into the waiting motor, which at once dashed madly along the poorly paved street.
Struggle as they might, the lads were unable to release themselves from their bonds. Not a word was spoken by their captors during the wild ride. At length the prisoners gave over their useless efforts.
Directly the machine was turned into a smoother street, but the speed was in no wise diminished. At length a halt was made. Dragged from their places like so many sacks of grain, the captives felt themselves hoisted to the shoulders of their abductors. Judging from sounds that they were being taken into a building of some sort, all awaited with considerable anxiety some indication of the next development.
This was not long in coming. A passageway was negotiated followed by a journey down a flight of creaking stairs. The boys were presently deposited in not too gentle a manner upon a hard floor. Footsteps retreating up the creaking stairway indicated that they were to be left alone. Nothing had been said that would indicate the identity of their captors.
Jimmie's impatient and frantic efforts to free himself from the bonds and gag were interrupted by a voice full of venom.