The drive of the old mansion, which had come to be called a "castle," was long and winding. But at length it came to an end in a big arc and at the upper curve stood the old pile of masonry which had started out to be a wonderful home, only it fell by the wayside.
No sooner had the car come to a stop on the drive, which was overgrown with weeds, than a door, in what was evidently an entrance hall, opened. A man, whom neither Ned nor Tom recognized, stood framed in the light.
"Did you get 'em?" asked this man.
"Sure thing!" answered "Buddy," as Tom and Ned designated the more friendly of their guards. "Is their machine here?"
"Rolled in just before you pulled up. Guess it isn't so easy to drive," remarked the man in the doorway.
"I hope they haven't damaged my House," murmured Tom, and Ned joined him in this wish.
However, just then there was no way of knowing what had happened to the big car. It was not in sight. In one or two lower windows of the old half ruined castle lights showed. All the upper windows were in darkness.
"Get down, you two!" gruffly ordered one of the guards.
Tom and Ned, stiff from the wetting they had undergone and sore and bruised from their fall, alighted.
"Go on in," was the next command, and they thought it best to obey. A night's rest, some more food, and a chance to consider their situation was needed before they could make a break for liberty.