The sight thrilled Cavvy and absorbed him for a moment. It looked decidedly as if the plotters had taken alarm and were making ready for a hurried flight. And the cause of that alarm was not difficult to locate. As Cavanaugh’s glance shifted again about the room, he started and narrowly escaped betraying himself by a surprised gasp.
Close to the open door and partly hidden by it, stood a straight backed wooden chair. Someone was sitting in it and for an instant Cavvy wondered if this was still another member of the gang. Then in a flash he realized that the person’s hands were tied together around the back of the chair, and recognized the crisp black hair and familiar profile of—Bill McBride!
CHAPTER XXIX
ESCAPE
Cavvy caught his breath and instinctively drew back. His heart was thumping violently and the hand which held the stick shook a little. Presently he managed to control himself and took another peep through the crack of the door. The fat man was still absorbed in dismantling the wireless, but it seemed certain that his companion’s absence must soon arouse his suspicions. Besides, though the man below was helpless, there was nothing to prevent his using his lungs as soon as he recovered consciousness.
“I’ve got to hustle,” thought the boy desperately. “I’ve got to cut that rope before something happens.”
Swiftly he laid the stick down on the hall floor and taking out his scout knife, opened the largest blade. Then he got down on hands and knees and crept to the doorway and across the threshold. The chair to which McBride was tied hid him from the fat man and another discovery heartened him not a little and brought a momentary sparkle to his eyes. The key was in the lock on the outside of the door. No doubt when the room was not in use it was kept carefully secured, and Cavvy realized comforting possibilities in the fact.
His chief worry at the moment was that Micky might give a start or an exclamation which would betray him. But fortunately the boy’s self control stood the test. As Cavvy, crouching behind the chair, pressed his knife blade across the knotted rope, there was a slight quiver of the bound hands, a swift drawn breath that was barely audible, but that was all. A moment later the severed rope slipped down and Cavanaugh gripped the other’s arm and drew him gently toward the door.
All would have gone well but for an abominably squeaky board. At the sound the fat man straightened with a jerk and whirled around.
“Quick!” cried Cavvy, jerking McBride across the threshold.
There was a bellow of rage from the fat man and a swift forward rush. The door crashed shut and the key clicked in a well oiled lock. Close together the two boys whirled around the newel post and tore downstairs, urged on by the muffled, angry cries and poundings on the door. At the foot of the stairs Micky stumbled and fell headlong, but Cavvy dragged him up and they gained the outer door.