He turned the flash on the ladder already referred to, which was intended by Andrew Anderton for use as a fire escape, if necessary, and showed that it had two powerful and large steel hooks at the end.
“I see,” said Chick. “I’ll climb down to our yard by this. Then you’ll drop it to me, and I’ll throw up the end to the top of the fence and hook it on. Is that the idea?”
“You have it exactly. Now, are you ready?”
“Sure! Let her go!”
It did not take Chick long to carry out his instructions. In a very short space of time he was astride of the high fence. This brought him almost level with Nick, standing on the balcony, and not more than ten feet away, for the window was almost at the corner of the Anderton house.
“Careful, Chick!” whispered Nick. “Better drop your ladder into the other yard and go down that way.”
“All right! Then what am I to do?”
There was a short pause, while Nick Carter considered his next move. Then he said quietly:
“If there is a ladder, or plank, push it up to the top of the fence. I want to see whether it could have been used as a bridge to get to this balcony from the yard. Do you begin to see what I’m driving at?”
“I’d be a bonehead if I didn’t,” replied Chick, as he went to work.