This seemed reasonable, and Harvey decided to make a thorough search before returning.
The prisoner was secured to the heavy table in the back room on the lower floor, and until daylight the party discussed the matter in all its bearings.
Then Harvey said as he went toward the door:
"Now, let's get to work, and finish this job by night-fall if possible."
At that instant he stepped outside, and at the same moment the reports of two weapons were heard from the direction of the woods, the bullets striking within an inch of the detective's head.
He leaped back under cover, saying bitterly as he did so:
"The villains are sharper than I gave them credit for, and have got us like rats in a trap. We were allowed to come in, and now they propose to shoot us down at their leisure, for the gang can't afford to let us leave here alive!"