Then he threw off his disguise, and shifted his revolvers to his side
pockets.
"Now for yonder house, Patsy, and to see what the remainder of this gang
are at," said he. "Come with me, and have your guns ready."
"I'm with you," cried Patsy, coolly. "Guns and all."
A dash up the gravel walk brought them to the front door, which Venner
had left partly open.
There they paused and listened.
Not a sound came from within the house; but overhead the tempest now was
breaking, with frequent crashing peals of thunder, and flashes of
lightning that illumined all the landscape. Rain, too, now began pelting
down on the veranda roof.
"We'll steal in and see what we can find," whispered Chick, drawing one
of his revolvers.
"Go it, then."
He led the way, and Patsy followed. The silence in the house mystified
them at first. It appeared to have been entirely deserted.
When they reached the door of the dining room, however, Chick discovered
on the floor the disguise which Nick had discarded.
"I have it, Patsy," he cried, softly. "They have nailed Nick, just as he
expected, and have taken him somewhere to confine him."
"Perhaps in the cellar," suggested Patsy.
"I hardly think so, yet we'll have a look.
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