"Then another voice broke in, in a lower tone, but Belle couldn't hear what was said. She's back in the dark by that open window now," Laura Bentley hurried on, breathlessly. "The two parties are still there, talking. It's hardly a minute's run from where you are. Can't you get some one in a hurry, run up here and jump on the parties? Please do, Dick! It'll be the means of clearing up this whole awful business!"
"Won't I, though?" answered Dick, breathlessly, into the 'phone. "I have two chums here now. We'll be there like greased lightning—-and, oh, Miss Bentley, thank you!"
Neither Dave nor Greg needed to ask any questions, for both had stood close to the receiver, drinking in every word. Now they shot out through the front of the store with a speed and turbulence that made studious Mr. Prescott gasp with amazement.
"Careful, now, fellows!" warned Dick a few moments later. "We want to hear, as well as catch! Softly does it."
Well practiced in running, not one of the three freshmen was out of breath by the time that they reached the head of Stetson's Alley.
Just before turning the corner at the head of the alley, Dick and his freshmen chums halted to listen and reconnoiter.
Peeping cautiously around the corner, Dick, Greg and Dave made out dimly one figure well down the alley. There was not light enough there to recognize the fellow. And the three boys could make out some one past this first fellow, but the second individual stood well in the dark shadow of the delivery doorway of a store.
"Let's see if we can't creep up a little nearer," whispered Dick
Prescott, softly.
"They may see us coming," warned Dave.
"If they do, we'll just make a jump in and nab them anyway," Dick rejoined. "Remember the main game—-capture!"