Hen, who had the flashlight, feared to press the button. There
was not a sound, save a little sputter which they rightly laid to
the wireless machine which the Weasel had told them about. In a
moment, (it seemed years) Hen decided that they must have light,
even at the risk of discovery, and his flashlight illumined the
room in which they stood. Immediately Porky pointed to the big
chimney, and the pile of lumber stacked beside it. He touched
the others, and led the way. They went noiselessly across the
uneven floor, and reaching the boards, found, as the Weasel had
said, a narrow opening in the floor.
As the three neared the bottom of the ladder, a scream, muffled
and choked but full of agony, sounded close to them. The boys
recognized that thin, boyish tone, even in its torture. They
felt their hair rise on their scalps as they listened.
Quickly turning in the narrow, breathless space in which they
found themselves, they saw a little star of light pierce the
pitch blackness. It was the little peek hole made in the panel
by the Weasel. Porky put his eye to the place. One instant he
looked, and drew back as Hen pressed close. In turn they peered
through the tiny hole. They shuddered as they did so.
Pages:
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100