Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/230

Rh this evening and tell me what he says. Much obliged, and I hope that job will pan out, fellows. Good-night!"

It was getting dark in the building when Fudge and Perry went in and climbed the stairs. Halfway up they encountered some of the workers in the glove factory, but after that the building seemed deserted. At the top of the last flight, though, they discovered that it wasn't, for, in front of Mr. Addicks' door at the end of the twilit corridor a bulky figure stood. As the boys looked the figure took on the appearance of a policeman. The policeman—they could see him more plainly now that their eyes had accustomed themselves to the half darkness—rapped loudly, imperatively on the door. He waited, and, as there was no response, he tried the handle. The door was locked. Then he bent close to the sign, as though making certain he was not mistaken, glanced up at the closed transom and swung around. Fudge dragged Perry forward and began an examination of the signs on the nearer portals as the policeman, walking almost noiselessly on rubber-soled shoes, passed them with a brief but searching glance. As his quiet footfalls died away in the hall below Fudge turned a wild, alarmed gaze on Perry.

"They're after him!" he whispered hoarsely.