"Oh, he'll be home with the rest."

"Then that's all right. Of course, there is no necessity to caution you to be careful."

"Wasn't I careful before?"

"Hush!"

"Then don't talk that way. Say, do you know these cigars are mighty strong?"

Hardwick laughed.

"That's because you are not used to them, d.i.c.k. Now, I generally smoke them twice as strong."

Just at this instant, the two heard Churchley jump to his feet.

"Who's there?" he demanded.

"What's the matter with Churchley?" said Hardwick.

"He's talking to somebody," replied Ferris.

"Hullo! the door's locked," they heard Churchley continue.

"What's up, Churchley?" called out Hardwick, walking toward the other room.

"There is somebody in this closet," was the startling reply. "I heard a noise half a dozen times."

CHAPTER X.

HAL IS ACCUSED.

When Hal Carson locked himself into the closet of the club-room, he realized that he was in a perilous position.

Supposing somebody undertook to open the door? They might suppose it very strange to find the door locked, and think it necessary to open it, in which case he would be discovered in short order.

He remained perfectly quiet for a long while and heard Churchley admitted, and heard the man seat himself at the center table, and rustle the paper he was perusing.

Of the conversation carried on by Ferris and Hardwick, he heard nothing further, and he was, consequently, totally in the dark concerning the nefarious plot that had been formed to get him into serious trouble.

Ten minutes pa.s.sed, and the youth began to wonder how long he would have to remain a self-made prisoner.

Then all became quiet in the room beyond, and he wondered if Churchley had not joined the two in the adjoining apartment.

He peered through the key-hole, but could see nothing but a portion of the wall opposite.

Growing bolder, he turned the key in the lock, and cautiously opened the door for the s.p.a.ce of several inches. Looking out, he saw that Churchley still sat at the table, which was but a few feet away.

At that instant the man moved and gave a deep breath. Hal thought he intended to look around, and hastily closed the door once more.

The youth's movement was so quick that the door made a sharp sound as the catch clicked. This was followed by the sound made by the key in the lock as Hal once more imprisoned himself.

Hal almost held his breath as he heard Churchley jump up.

"Who's there?" called the man.

Hal made no reply.

Then Churchley came and tried the door.

"Hullo! the door's locked!"

At that moment Hardwick entered, followed by Ferris.

"Somebody in the closet?" cried Hardwick.

"There seems to be."

"Open the door."

"I can't. It's locked."

"Who is in there?" called the book-keeper.

Of course, Hal did not answer.

"Perhaps it was a rat," suggested Ferris.

"Might have been," grumbled Churchley. "I know there are plenty of them in the building, because I once ran across one in the hall-way."

"Where is the key?" asked Hardwick. "We'll soon find out."

"I don't know."

"It ought to be in the lock."

"Perhaps Jackson carted it off. He's an odd sort of a c.o.o.n."

Hardwick looked around on the mantel and in several other places.

"It's gone."

He came over and shook the door.

"See if the key is on the inside of the lock," suggested Ferris.