Stokes and Marsh — the two secret enemies — were taking advantage of the opportunity; but Harry could not guess their purpose.
When he came downstairs, the living room was deserted. The men had gone; Marquette had followed them; at least, so Harry supposed.
But he was wrong; he heard a noise outside, and had barely time to slip back to the stairs.
Harry stole softly to his room, and crawled into the bed. He listened intently. He heard a slight sound in the hallway. He figured it was either Stokes or Marsh; coming up to see if he was asleep.
Harry breathed a trifle heavily; just sufficiently so that the sound could reach the ears of the unseen listener. He fancied that he heard footsteps steal away down the hall.
A SUDDEN desire for action prompted Harry. He moved across the floor to the window. The sash was already open; silently, he went through.
There was a roof beneath, to one side a narrow projection that extended from the doorway which the men must use to leave the house. Harry clung there, and a moment later he heard Stokes and Marsh come outside. They stood directly beneath him.
“He’s asleep.” Harry could make out the words spoken by Marsh. “No need to worry about him.”
“All right,” replied Stokes, in an audible whisper. “Let’s go.”
The men started toward the path. Harry heard Marsh question Stokes, and he caught the reply: