hear him talk!" exclaimed Hardwick. "Jump on him, boys!"

"Stand back, every one of you!" cried Hal. "I am not alone here. There
is plenty of help!"

He uttered the last word loudly, and on the instant the doors leading to
the dining-room, and the one from the library opened, and Horace Sumner
stepped into the parlor, followed by the two officers.

"Trapped!" howled Allen. "Macklin has either been outwitted or he has
played us false!"

The two officers held pistols in their hands, and they lost no time in
coming to the front.

"Surrender, all of you!" cried one of them.

"Never!" cried Allen. "Do you think I am to be caught like a rat in a
trap?"

He made a dash for the hall-way, and was quickly followed by Samuels.

But the two policemen were too quick for the pair, and they were
speedily overtaken, and then a desperate struggle ensued.

In the meantime Parsons tried to jump through the door-way leading to
the library. In order to do this he had to pass Horace Sumner, and
putting out his foot the old broker sent the man sprawling to the floor,
and then ended his struggles by sitting down on him so suddenly that
Parsons' wind was knocked completely out of him.

Hal still confronted Hardwick, whose eyes were fairly blazing with
passion.

"Give me the box!" commanded Hal. "Quick! I mean what I say."

Instead of complying Hardwick made a vicious blow for Hal's head. The
boy dodged, but in doing so slipped and went down on his back.

Before he could recover, Hardwick sprang for one of the open windows,
and leaped through, carrying part of the long sash with him.

He had hardly disappeared when Hal was on his feet again. Without
hesitation the youth followed through the broken window. Hardwick was
making for the road, where stood a team of horses attached to a fine
sleigh.

"If he gets away in that he and the tin box are goners!" was Hal's rapid
conclusion. "I must stop him at all hazards."

Hardwick had a good start, but Hal made quick time after him, and when
the ex-book-keeper reached the sleigh the boy was not a dozen yards
behind.

"Stop, Hardwick!" he cried.

"Not much, Carson! Take that!"

Hardwick pulled out his weapon. There were two reports in rapid
succession. Hal was struck in the side, and Hardwick stumbled down.

Hal was quite badly hurt, but he braced up and staggered to where
Hardwick lay.

"Now give up the tin box," he ordered, in as steady a voice as he could.

"Never to you!"