“I’ve caught you!” the voice went on. “You will go around trying to rob places, will you! Didn’t think anyone would see you, I s’pose, but I happened along, though I can’t see what you could steal in that old factory.”
By these words Larry knew he had been stopped by someone other than the two men. He looked down and saw a short stout figure, in the fast growing darkness, standing at the foot of the ladder.
“I’m not a burglar!” ventured Larry mildly.
“Bless my soul, it’s a boy!” the voice went on. “Well, well, what is the world coming to when mere lads go out burglarizing!”
“I’m not a burglar,” said Larry with some spirit.
“Don’t tell stories, boy!” the man below said.
“I’m not.”
“But can’t I see that you are a burglar?”
“I’m escaping from this building,” Larry went on.
“Of course, I can see that easy enough,” the man said. “That’s what all burglars want to do—escape. But I’ve caught you!”