Mr. Hampton and Captain Cornell looked blank. Then sheepish smiles of comprehension dawned. Each shook his head.
“Well,” said Frank, turning and pressing past Mr. Hampton, up the stairs. “This is the only two-story building in the neighborhood, and that means no other building overlooks the roof. It’s just barely possible that we may find something of interest up there. I’m going to see.”
“And I’ll go with you,” said Captain Cornell. “Mr. Hampton, will you please explain to the others who I see have gone on. Tell them we’ll rejoin you shortly.”
“Maybe there are some men hiding up there,” Mr. Hampton said anxiously. “Be careful.”
“Oh, we’ll be careful, all right,” said Captain Murray. “They won’t take us off guard a second time.”
“Well, I don’t like it,” said Mr. Hampton. “If there were only some way of getting a look at that roof without risk—”
But the others had re-ascended the stairs and were out of earshot.
CHAPTER XX.
DON FERDINAND EXPLAINS.
The trap door was on a slide, not hinged. This permitted of its being pushed back in grooves that proved to be well-oiled and noiseless. Frank who stood on a stool so high that he was forced to bow his head in order not to strike it against the low roof was about to straighten up and look out, when Captain Cornell thrust him aside. The next moment the doughty flyer, placing his hands on the edge of the opening, pulled himself up to the room. Frank was quick to follow.
“Hey, Captain, that was mean,” he declared.