They were carrying several heavy coils of rope, the result of their depredations on the river during a few preceding hours.
They passed me and approached the building, and I heard one of them whistle twice, very softly.
Then a peculiar knock was given on a particular door, which at once promptly opened to give them ingress.
At once a desperate scheme flashed across my brain.
I wanted to save Shadow, but still I did not wish to make a descent on the place with a body of officers, as it would make it impossible for me to carry out my original plan of bagging the whole gang.
I had heard mentioned the name of Dick Stanton. He was a detective, and, as I now knew, a false one, through whom had leaked out the intentions of the police on several occasions, rendering well-laid plans fruitless; so that the police had found empty nests when they expected a bag full of game.
I arose and went forward.
I whistled thrice, and knocked at the door as I had heard the others knock.
As the door opened I glided in.
The guard spotted me as a stranger at once, and laid his hand on his revolver.