"Wait! Wait!" begged the detectives. "The dogs in there would tear you to pieces!"
"They must eat my hot lead first," said Jack grimly, drawing his revolver.
"No, wait," implored Mr. Rand. "A false move now may spoil it all."
Every man, young and old, in the party took out his revolver and had it in readiness. Then, in a solid line, they deliberately walked up to the old house—through the path lined with boxwood over the little flower garden.
"Yes, there is a light. See it near the roof?"
The girls were almost on the heels of the men. They could not be induced to remain in the lane.
"What is that?"
"A woman's voice," said Officer Brown. "She is calling the dogs!"
But no dogs came. Instead, a girl, Lena, confronted them.
"What do you want?" she demanded rather rudely.