SOME STRATEGY.
The first effect of a sudden and utterly unexpected disaster is, usually, to produce incredulity in its victims. It was so in this case.
“Nonsense,” spoke the professor, more sharply than was his wont, “I guess, after all, I am mistaken; it must be an accident.”
“If so, it’s a remarkable one,” said Nat grimly. “The bolt has been slid into a hasp on the outside.”
“Woof!” ejaculated Mr. Tubbs. “Then we are in the position of the mouse that wandered into a nice snug trap.”
“That’s the way it looks to me,” was Nat’s rejoinder. “What do you make of it, Joe?”
The stout lad had, by this time, joined Nat on the stairway. But their combined efforts failed to budge the door.
“It’s locked sure enough,” replied Joe. “Hush!”
“What’s up?”
“I thought I heard a sound of whispering on the outside.”