“It was upstairs,” said Blake, indicating a flight of rotting steps. “Some one is up there.”
Again the groan sounded, and there was no mistaking it. It did come from above their heads. Then a voice called:
“Is any one there? Help me! I’ve had a fall!”
“It’s old man Hanson!” exclaimed Jack. “He’s up there. Come on, boys!”
He sprang forward. Blake called after him:
“Be careful of those stairs. They look as if they’d come down if you blew on ’em.”
“If they held him to go up, they’ll stand for me,” declared Jack. “Come on!”
“Let’s go outside,” suggested Mrs. Bonnell. “If you need us, boys, you can call us,” she added. “If he is hurt, I know something about first-aid work.”
“We’ll call you if we need you,” replied Blake. “Now let’s have a look.”
Cautiously they went up the shaky stairs, one at a time so as not to put too much of a strain on them. At first it was so dark in the second story that they could see nothing. Then Jack called: