In the vaults he called loudly:
"What!—ho!—where are you?"
Soon came back a smothered reply, and we finally were led to a heavy wooden door secured by stout locks. As we could not open the latter, we proceeded to batter down the door, and released, in a half-starved condition—Mat Morris!
Shadow gave me no opportunity to indulge in feelings of surprise, or to obtain any information whatever concerning the mystery.
"Waste no time!" he said, coldly. "We have more work yet to-night."
Five of the men were left in the sugar-house to bag any members of the gang who might come straggling along. The others, with Shadow and myself, went to the station-house with the captives.
Between us walked poor Mat Morris, so weak that he could hardly stand.
"Take only two men this time," said Shadow, after we had reached the station; and so with two men we departed—to be surprised, I felt, as well as to surprise somebody else.
I was not wrong.
Mr. Joseph Brown was awakened by the ringing of his doorbell, and when he demanded what was the matter, was told that an intimate friend was dying and had sent for him.