"Will you go along quietly or shall I call a constable?"
"H'm! you've got more pluck than a dozen constables!" the fellow growled. "Oh, I'll go along with you, 'cause you've got the best o' me. You didn't get Hughson, anyhow. How did you know I was with him?"
"I did not, but I knew you and was determined to have you. You can give me some information concerning the stone house, and later I will look after the spy."
The man gave a grunt, and by that time they were out upon a side street leading into Broadway or to the river.
"We will go there now," said Dick. "Some of the Liberty Boys are waiting for me at the house and we can continue our investigations with your assistance."
"Huh! you seem to think I am going to tell you all I know about the place," muttered the man. "S'pose I don't?"
"Then you will get into worse trouble," shortly.
It was dark in the room, so the boys could not see the man who had challenged them, their matches having burned out: Harry stumbled over something on the floor and fell headlong, Sam falling on top of him. At the same instant came a flash and a report, and the boys saw the man about to make a dash for the door. Will lighted another match, and Harry and Sam managed to scramble to their feet, but were not quick enough to intercept the man, who made a sudden spring, dashed Will aside, and was out into the passage.
"After him!" cried the boys in unison.
But that was a difficult matter, for the passage, like the room, was cluttered with packages and bundles of various sizes. They could hear the sound of his footsteps, but could catch no glimpse of him, nor could they tell which way he had gone, for passages seemed to open on both sides.