He was almost certain, too, that he distinguished the sound of low whispers.
"That flash has scared the rascals," throbbed Dick Prescott.
"Now, if I can only locate 'em, and get out first! I may succeed in getting the police to the scene before both get away.

One of 'em, anyway, I ought to be able to floor with this heavy cane!" Transferring the light to his left hand, Dick took a strong grip of the cane.

It did not eyed occur to him to be afraid in here.
He was trying to trap the burglars as a piece of enterprise for "The Blade," and that was all he thought about.
Suddenly there was a more decided step in the darkness.

It sounded, too, right in advance of the boy who stood there guessing in the dark.
"Halt, where you are!" shouted Dick.

"And throw up your hands as high as you can, if you don't want to get drilled! Don't try to use your weapons, for I have the drop!" It was sheer bluff, for the only thing with which Prescott could claim the drop was his cane.
Yet, in such circumstances, a bold front is half the battle.
Prescott bounded forward, boldly, at the same moment turning on his light.
The next moment, though he held the light, the cane dropped from his nerveless fingers.
"We've got you, Prescott!" roared a voice.