"Well, we'll have a look for—to see if anything is missing," Allen hastily changed his remarks, for the servants knew nothing about the diamonds; or, at least, they were not supposed to know about them.
"Come on, boys," the young law student went on.
"Oh, but hadn't we better send for the authorities?" asked Percy. "Or at least take a weapon," for Allen and the others had nothing in their hands.
"He's loony on the subject of weapons," grunted Roy.
Allen led the way down cellar, the girls and the servants not venturing, though Betty did want to go. But her mother kept her back.
A glance served to show that the diamonds were in the box, safe. As far as could be learned the intruders had not been near them.
"We'll bring them up, after the servants have gone to bed," Allen confided to his chums.
And when the maids had retired there was a sort of "council of war" among the others.
Opinion was divided as to whether the men were ordinary tramps, or perhaps sneak thieves, or whether they were after the diamonds.
"But how would they know they were down cellar?" asked Betty. "We are the only ones who know of the hiding place, and we haven't told anyone, except Percy."