Therefore it will be seen that he was a man eminently fitted to carry out the dangerous task intrusted to him by his leader, that of probing into the secrets of the gang, becoming one of their trusted workers, and thus eventually of being able to spring a trap and bag the lot of them.
When the first firing took place between the Prairie Express and the men under Harry Hale, Barry Brown and Jack the stableman were standing in the opening fronting the house.
Some of the horses in the stable became a little frightened, and Jack was forced to attend to them.
“I guess it’s the captain stopping those wagons,” muttered Brown. “Well, whether he carries out his plans or not, I must attend to my work. There being very few in the house now, I guess it will be the best chance I shall have of going on an exploring expedition.”
He went back to the house, and entering the hallway, closed the door.
Nobody was to be seen.
Barry Brown walked slowly along the hallway.
There was a stairway leading down to some unknown part; and down the steps with cautious tread went the secret service spy.
They conducted him to a lower hallway, and this was constructed of huge blocks made of solid stone.
He paused in this hallway, and bent his head to a listening attitude.