In his movement to rise the legs of the boy had come in contact with it, sweeping it across the hole.
The intervening covering of thin paper was broken on the instant.
With a loud crash the stove-lifter, sweeping down through the opening, had fallen like a bomb-shell into the midst of the men assembled in the room below.
There was a sudden exclamation in the voice of Callister.
Then all was as silent as the grave.
Like a flash Caleb Hook was upon his feet.
"Take care of her, Jerry," he whispered. "Lock the door after me and open to no one. I shall head them off at the front entrance. Great Cæsar! how unfortunate! But I'll clap the bracelets on that villain Callister even if the rest escape."
He flung open the door and darted toward the stairs, Jerry Buck locking it behind him as he passed.
Scarce had he descended half the flight connecting with the floor below, when a door was suddenly flung open and four men sprang out into the passage dimly illuminated by a single hanging lamp.
"There he is!" exclaimed one of the men—the smallest, in whom the detective instantly recognized his companion on the force, Mr. Billy Cutts—"there's the fellow who dropped us his card. Gentlemen, this is my friend, Detective Hook. He has come to pay us an evening call!"