He took out his knife and began to dig down toward the ring, when
a low whistle from the opening to the alley warned him to be on
the alert. Instantly the light was extinguished and the next
moment Bart was at his side.
"Better let up, Frank," he whispered. "There's a big commotion
down the street and a crowd is beginning to gather. I think it's a
fire."
As he spoke, a fire engine clanged down the street and an
increasingly red light made itself apparent in the sky.
"Too bad," grumbled Frank, as he put his flashlight back into his
pocket "I think I was just on the verge of finding out something
that would put us on the track of those fellows who seemed to
vanish into thin air."
"Hard luck," murmured Bart, sympathetically, "but well have to
give it up for the present."
Frank hesitated, but the increasing glare that made the alley
visible and the sound of footsteps of people hurrying to the fire
showed him that his friend was right, and he reluctantly desisted.
"To-morrow's a new day," said Bart consolingly, as the comrades
stole out of the alley and mingled with the groups of passers-by.
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