agreed to try.

"How are you going to capture him?" asked Mr. Parker. "If he has a gun
it won't be any too easy to go in the storeroom, and drag him out."

"We'll have to use a little strategy," decided Tom, and then they
discussed several plans. The one finally adopted was that Tom and Mr.
Damon should enter the storeroom, casually, as if in search of food to
cook for supper. They would discuss various dishes, and Mr. Damon was to
express a preference for something in the food line, the box containing
which, was well hack in the room. This would give the two a chance
to penetrate to the far end of the apartment, without arousing the
suspicions of the hidden man, who, doubtless, would be listening to the
conversation.

"And as soon as we get sight of him, you and I will jump right at him,
Mr. Damon," said Tom. "Jump before he has a chance to use his gun. Mr.
Jenks and Mr. Parker will be waiting outside the room, to catch him if
he gets away from us. I'll have some ropes ready, and we'll tie him up,
and--well, we'll decide later what to do with him."

"All right. I'm ready as soon as you are, Tom," said the eccentric man.
"Come ahead."

They went softly to the storeroom, and listened at the door. There was
no sound heard save that made by the machinery.

"I wonder if he's really here?" whispered Mr. Damon.

"We'll soon find out," answered Tom. "Let's go in."

They entered, and, in pursuance of their plan, Tom and his friend talked
of various foods.

"I think I'd like some of that canned lobster, with French dressing on,"
spoke the eccentric man.

"That's away in the back end of the room," said Tom, in a loud voice.
"It's under a lot of boxes."

"Then I'll help you get it out! Bless my frying pan! but I am very fond
of lobster!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, in as natural tones as was possible
under the circumstances.

He and Tom moved cautiously back among the boxes and barrels. They were
glancing about with eager eyes. Tom switched on an electric light, and,
the instant he did so, he was aware of a movement in a little space
formed by one box which was placed on top, of two others. The lad saw a
dark figure moving, as if to get farther out of sight.

"I've got him!" cried Tom, making a dive for the shadow.

A moment later the young inventor was bowled over, as a dark figure
leaped over his head.

"Catch him, Mr. Damon!" he cried.

"Bless my hatband! I--I--" Mr. Damon's voice ended in a grunt. He, too,
had be