The firing had come from the front room, and there Harvey ran after gaining the upper floor.
"Stand back, Jet, they're bound to shoot when the door is opened," he said as he halted before the second barrier.
"I'll take my share of it," the boy replied, and he pressed forward for the honor of entering first, but Harvey pushed him back quickly as he laid his hand on the wooden latch.
To the surprise of both the door yielded readily to the hand, instead of being locked, as was supposed.
Harvey sprang in and Jet stepped so close behind as almost to tread on his leader's heels.
One man stood in the center of the apartment brandishing a revolver, which he discharged full at the detective.
The latter had stooped suddenly on entering, and the bullet buried itself in the woodwork above his head.
Quick as thought Harvey threw himself forward, overturning the defender of the house and causing him to lose his weapon.
"Stand guard over this fellow, and shoot him as you would a dog if he so much as makes the least motion to get up," the detective shouted to Jet. Then he sprang back to the ladder. "They have given us the slip. Get into the yard while I search the other rooms."
The Albany detectives had not yet had time to ascend, and they obeyed at once, while Harvey ran quickly through the other rooms.