"We would be running a big risk. If Arnold Baxter caught us he would—would—well, he wouldn't be very friendly, that's all," and Sam gave a shiver.
"I'm going in. You can remain outside, on watch. If you want me, whistle as we agreed."
"But be careful, Dick!" pleaded the younger brother.
"I will be."
"And don't stay too long," added Sam, who did not relish being left alone in such a forlorn-looking spot, and in the intense darkness which had now settled down over them.
"I won't be any longer than necessary, you can depend on that," replied the big brother.
As silently as a cat after a mouse Dick entered the gloomy building and felt his way over the half-rotted floor to where the stairs were located.
Ascending these, he found himself in something of a hallway, the upper floor of the building being divided into several apartments by wooden partitions nine or ten feet in height.
From one of the apartments shone a faint light. To this he made his way, and, looking through a good-sized knot-hole in the partition, he saw Arnold Baxter, Girk, and the two newcomers seated on several boxes and boards. On
