"What was that noise?" he asked, turning to his companions. "Didn't you hear something drop in the store?"
"I heard it thunder," replied Jack Spaniard.
"So did I," said Xury.
"That wasn't thunder," returned the chief. "It was some other kind of
noise; an' I am sure it was in the store. Mebbe Harding is movin' around in there. You stay here, an' I'll go to the door an' listen."
The Crusoe men concealed themselves behind the elevator, and the governor moved up the passage-way, holding in his hand a bag which he had brought to carry away his share of the provisions, and which he also intended to use in conquering Johnny Harding, if the opportunity presented itself. If the clerk was awake, and should happen to come to the door, he would throw the bag over his head, and hold him fast until his men could come to his assistance. He approached the door very cautiously, and when he reached it, he stopped and looked at it in astonishment. A hole had been cut in it over the lock, and the door was ajar. Sam thought he must be dreaming. He looked around him to make sure that no one was observing his movements, and then placed his hand against the door, which yielded to his touch.
"Well, now, if this yere don't beat all the world," said the governor to himself. "Is there another Crusoe band in the village, I wonder?"
"Look here, partner," whispered a voice close at his elbow, "this is our job. You're about a quarter of an hour too late."
Sam turned and saw a man, who was muffed up to the eyes, standing beside him. His heart fairly came up into his mouth. He was as frightened as a boy could be, and he would have yelled and taken to his heels, but he seemed to have lost all control over himself. He stood like one petrified. To save his life he could not utter a sound, neither could he move hand or foot. He was caught, he could see that plainly; and now would come the punishment.
"How do you happen to know any thing about it?" whispered the man.