arb of a woman milk vendor had
been assumed as a disguise.

Although Jimmie's speed was great, the lad's sprint was not sufficient to
permit him to overtake his quarry.

"He'll never make it!" declared Jack, tugging away at his own automatic
and preparing to follow his comrade.

"Come on, fellows, let's get a move on!" suggested Harry. "That fellow
will just about get into a corner somewhere and knock Jimmie over the
head. He's capable of worse than that, I believe!"

All three lads hastened after the fleeing figure of their red-headed chum
and the one whom he was pursuing.

An open door in the building indicated that the race had turned in that
direction. Producing an electric searchlight Ned urged caution. Directly
the lads heard the sound of a falling body. This was at once followed by
an exclamation of surprise and disgust. They recognized the tones as
those of their companion.

"Are you there, Jimmie?" called Ned, swinging the beam from his
searchlight about the interior, lighting up a collection of merchandise
piled in the warehouse. Jimmie was nowhere to be seen.

"Where could he have gone so suddenly?" queried Harry.

"Maybe Mackinder hit him over the head!" ventured Jack.

"Mackinder better be careful how he monkeys with this crew!" was Harry's
belligerent comment. "Maybe that guy'll get all that's coming to him and
get it right in the neck!"

For a moment the boys stood listening intently for some indication of the
presence of their comrade. Once Ned thought he heard a soft footfall. He
put out his hand to touch Jack on the arm.

"Ss-s-sh!" he hissed. "What was that?"

"Rat, maybe!" suggested Jack. "Turn your searchlight this way a minute. I
want to see where this passage leads."

Ned swung the searchlight in the direction indicated. Its lance of flame
pierced the gloom, revealing tiers of boxes and piles of bags and bales
heaped up in orderly array. Sufficient space had been left between the
heaps of merchandise to provide passageway.

"Come on," cried Jack, "we're losing time standing here!"

Scarcely had the boy uttered the words ere an object came hurtling
through the air. It struck the searchlight fairly upon the lens. There
was a quick cry of distress from Ned, a rattle of broken glass, the
tinkle of the falling searchlight. For a moment complete silence reigned.
The next instant there was a rush of a heavy body.

Taken by surprise the boys were not prepared for the onslaught. They wen