er the doorway,
"your 'Blue Boy' was painted by the greatest picture expert in the
world!"

As the last word came laughingly from his lips the room was plunged in
darkness.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

REPARTEE AND A REVOLVER MUZZLE.

The inky blackness fell upon the room with palpable suddenness--like a
blinding flash, numbing for a moment the senses of all who had been
taken by surprise. The reflex of the shock was manifested in a very
babel of incoherent shouts, jostlings and stumblings and sharp
collisions with the furniture.

"Turn up the lights," shouted Captain Stone, amid the tumult.

Travers Gladwin made a blind dive toward the wall and stumbled
headlong over the great antique chest which stood to one side of where
he and the thief had stood contemplating "The Blue Boy." In stumbling
against the chest he felt something that was a revelation to him by
the time he found the switch button and brought back a flood of
light.

"Quick, men, cover the doors--don't let any one get out," yelled
Captain Stone, pivoting on his heel as his eyes vainly sought the
picture expert.

"He's gone!" cried Kearney.

"Yes, up the stairs--I hear him," yelled Gladwin. "There are two back
stairways and the roof. There are two basement exits--post your men
out there, and down through that hallway on the left--the panel
door--that leads to the kitchen. Barnes, you and Bateato take the
young lady up to my study--quick!--I'll look after this room."

The most remarkable thing about it was that every command the young
man shouted was obeyed. Even Kearney was fooled and rushed headlong up
the stairs, followed by two policemen and Barnes, who was yelling:
"Hey! come back here and unlock me! How can I hunt that chap with
these handcuffs on?"

He might as well have appealed to the moon.

Bateato fairly dragged Helen up the stairs after him and guided her to
the magnificently furnished study and den to the right of the
staircase, when he switched on the lights and became furiously active
in the interest of the young girl's comfort.

Captain Stone had rushed out into the street and posted men on the
stoop and at the basement exits; then, followed by the last lone
patrolman of his squad, he darted through the alley at the side of the
mansion which led to the rear yard.

The emptying of the room was accomplished in a few seconds, whereupon
Gladwin hastened to the doorway, reached for the folding doors and
hauled them to, fastening th