t
down like ten pins. Harry received a blow on the jaw that nearly put him
out for the count. Jack declared afterwards that his stomach would never
cease aching from the punch that landed there.

Ned had been bringing up the rear of the little party, hence suffered
least. He felt about quickly for the searchlight as he lay on the floor.
Before he could recover it the boys heard the outer door slam and knew
that someone had passed out of the building after the sudden attack. Who
it might have been they could only conjecture.

"Oh, my poor jaw!" groaned Harry. "I'm knocked out!"

"No, you're not!" protested Ned. "That only shook you up!"

"Sure!" agreed Jack. "Shook us all up so we'll get a little more 'pep'.
Let's hurry up and follow that guy!"

"Wait a minute," objected Ned. "We want to find Jimmie first!"

"Right-O!" agreed Harry. "I think my jaw is better now. Where are we
going, anyway? Do you suppose that was Jimmie that floored us just now?
Maybe he thought Mackinder had pals coming in!"

"I don't believe it," stated Ned. "Jimmie must have known that Mackinder
was alone with the milk wagon. He also knew that we would follow him
here. Possibly the lad is farther along in the warehouse, lost amongst
this merchandise. That must have been Mackinder!"

"You're right, Ned!" declared Jack. "He probably misled Jimmie in here
and then dashed out as we came in!"

"But where is Jimmie now?" queried Harry. "I don't hear him!"

"Oh, Jimmie!" called Ned in a loud tone.

To this hail there was no answer. Complete silence reigned.

"That's mighty funny!" puzzled Harry. "Get your searchlight and let's
hunt him up. He can't have gotten far away."

A short search by all three boys resulted in the recovery of the
searchlight. Beyond the damaged lens the instrument had suffered no
injury. It was still serviceable and cast a strong beam of light.

By its aid the lads followed the passage, stepping rapidly forward. They
were becoming alarmed over the failure of their chum to respond to their
calls. All feared that Mackinder might have done the lad harm.
Momentarily their anxiety increased.

"Here's a side passage!" declared Harry, who brought up the rear of the
little procession. "Where does this go?"

"Wait a minute with that searchlight, Ned!" called Jack, who followed Ned
closely. "Throw it back here a minute for Harry!"

Before the light could be brought into service Harry had taken a step
into the passage he had