Cap started down the stairs, followed by Pete. Bill together with Doc. and Bateye came after them.
“Now watch carefully!” whispered Spider, trying not to laugh.
Suddenly Cap uttered an exclamation. He had run into the first string. He swung about, got tangled in another and went down, for his feet slipped in the molasses.
“Great Scott!” he cried. “Look out, fellows, there’s something wrong here! Keep back!”
But his warning came too late. Pete made a jump to help his brother, and he too went down, sprawling in the sticky stuff.
“It’s glue!” he yelled. “Show a light!”
“What’s the matter?” demanded Bill.
“Get a light,” repeated Sawed-off, as he floundered about.
“Keep back!” yelled Cap.
There was so much confusion that Bill, Doc, and Bateye came down to see what the trouble was. Then, they too, got tangled in the cords, and went ingloriously down, the sticky and black stuff getting all over their clothes, hands and faces.