For a second there was an intense silence, heavy, strained and sickening.

Then a roar broke forth and the crowd of frenzied merry-makers, headed by Hopalong, poured out into the street and spread out to search the town.

As daylight dawned the searchers began to straggle back with the same report of failure.

Buck and Red met on the street near the door and each looked questioningly at the other.

Each shook his head and looked around, their fingers toying absentmindedly at their belts.