“Oh, you are? We know the professor of political economy——”
“Jennings? He’s one of our favorites—fine chap.”
“And that was where that boy was kidnaped, too.”
“The same. He never turned up.” Bill nudged Gus.
“Two weeks ago I was at Guilford and saw the ball game with Marshallton Tech,” said the voice.
“Hooray! Right out here with me is the pitcher who won that shut-out for us.”
“No! Do you really mean it? And then it was you who hailed and came aboard just now, and the others have not returned? I can trust you, can’t I?”
“Why not? We’re really harmless. But tell us who are these fellows?”
“I do not know, except that they are scoundrels and thieves,—of that I am sure.”
The door suddenly opened and a figure stood before the boys, something white, glistening and menacing in her hand. An arm was outstretched to turn a switch. With the flooding light Bill and Gus beheld a very pretty girl of about their own age, who smiled at them and hastily held the revolver behind her. Reassured, she calmly continued: