will explain matters to her in detail. Really, the claim is not worth
anything, but I wish to avoid trouble, and--"

"You might as well stop, Mr. Slocum, for it's too late to say that now. I
am positive our claims are of great value. Since you won't do the right
thing, I shall advise my father to bring action in court to compel you to
come to terms."

While speaking, Jerry had walked to the door, and now placed his hand on
the knob.

"Stop! stop!"

"No, I have had enough for the present."

"You villain!"

Slocum ran toward Jerry, who opened the door to step out, but found the
way blockaded by Casey, his book-keeper.

"Here, what's up?" cried the man, in wonder.

"Don't let him get away, Casey!" cried Alexander Slocum. "He is going to
make trouble, sure!"

"Let me go!" burst out our hero as the book-keeper caught hold of him.
"Let go, or I'll----"

Jerry never finished that sentence. Alexander Slocum had picked up the
ruler the youth had dropped, and leaped to the front. Down came the weapon
on the young oarsman's head; he felt a sharp stinging pain--and then he
knew no more.

When Jerry came to his senses all was dark around him. He was lying on a
damp, cement floor, evidently that of a cellar.

His head ached greatly, and for several minutes he could not remember what
had happened.

Then came back that scene in Slocum's office. He staggered to his feet.

Where was he and how long had he been there?

The first question was readily answered. Stepping forward, Jerry stumbled
over some loose coal. He was in a coal-cellar. Around and above were brick
walls. The door was of sheet-iron, and it was tightly closed and barred.
How had he come to that place? Probably his enemies had carried him
hither, although how they could do it without being seen was a question.

As soon as our hero felt strong enough he looked about for some means of
escaping from his prison. With great care he examined the walls and tried
the door.

Finding no outlet on any side, he turned his attention to the pavements
above. From one spot there came a faint glimmer of light, in a circle, and
he rightfully guessed that the coal-hole was located there.

How to reach the hole was a problem. It was several feet above our hero's
head, and there was nothing in the coal-vault to stand upon.

Jerry considered the situation for a minute, and then, standing directly
under the cover of the hole, leaped upward, sending his hand over his head