indifferently.

"Great heavens, they invented that story about his robbing them," cried
Billy. "They've made him a prisoner. We must get him out. Jack! Jack!"

No answer came and then Billy, regardless of consequences, flung himself
against the door of the room the Italian had indicated. By this time
quite a crowd of tenement dwellers had assembled, attracted by the loud
voices. At first the door stood firm, but when Ned joined Billy it gave
way with a bang, precipitating them into the room.

But now a new voice was added to the uproar. Hans Pumpernickel, a sour
old German who owned the tenements and lived there to save rent in a
better quarter, put in an appearance.

"Vos is los?" he demanded, "ach himmel, de door vos busted py der
outside. Who did dis?"

"We did," said Billy boldly. "My chum was decoyed into this house by
some bad characters. This was the room they occupied. But he isn't
here."

"Ach du liebe! Vos iss idt I care aboupt your droubles? I haf mein own."

"We'll find Jack if we go through this house from cellar to attic,"
declared Ned.

"I dond pelief dot boy vos harmed by der men dot hadt idt dis room,"
declared the crabbed old man. "Dey vos very respectable. Now you pay me
for dot door undt den go aboudt your pusiness."

"If you interfere with us we'll call in the police," said Billy.

"Yes, if you want to keep out of trouble, you'll help us," said Ned
boldly.

"Is dot so? Undt who iss you?"

"I'm the son of Senator Rivers of Nebraska."

The landlord's jaw dropped. He grew more respectful.

"Vell, vot am I to do?" he asked.

"Don't interfere with us. We'll pay for this door. Hullo, what's that on
the floor?" exclaimed Billy. "Why, it's Jack's knife. But where is he?"

"Den dose nice mens, Mr. Jenkins undt Mister Thompson are kidsnabbers,"
exclaimed the landlord.

"Are those the names they gave?" asked Billy.

"Ches. Dey pay idt me a month in advance. Dey vost nice gentlemen."

"Yes, very nice," exclaimed Billy bitterly. "However, knowing those
names may give a clew later on."

They searched for several hours but found no further trace of Jack. At
last, tired out and sick at heart, they returned home. Billy accepted
Ned's invitation to stay at the latter's house that night and to lay the
matter before the Senator in the morning.

* * * * *

Half stunned, Jack lay still for some time on the moldy straw and the
old newspapers in the coal bin in the