By this time they had reached room No. 36, and, thrusting the key into the lock, Old Spicer opened the door.
His eyes at once sought the ventilator.
It was over the mantel-piece and at a considerable distance from the floor.
"How can we get at it?" asked Rouse.
Old Spicer cast a rapid glance about the room.
"Nothing here that will answer the purpose," he muttered. Then catching Rouse by the sleeve, he exclaimed:
"Come with me," and he conducted him to a private sitting-room opposite, the door of which was open.
A strong and fair-sized table stood in the center of the room.
"Take hold of it," said Old Spicer, and within one minute that table was standing in front of the mantel-piece in Room 36.
"Now, then," continued the old detective, "bring a couple of stout chairs, these in this room are too frail to stand on."