In a moment more the two cadets stood in the sitting-room of the
mansion.

"Better not make too much noise," whispered Jack. "If he is here we may
be able to take him unawares."

As the sky was overcast that afternoon it was rather dark in the
mansion, and the cadets could see but little as they made their way from
one room to another. They were just entering the dining-room when
Pepper's foot struck something and sent it spinning across the floor.

"What's that?" asked his chum.

"I don't know--sounded like a spoon or a fork," was the reply. Pepper
walked forward, bent down, and felt around. "Yes, it's a silver fork!"

"It made as much noise as if it was a dozen of 'em!" murmured his chum.

"Hark!"

Pepper put up his hand and both listened intently. They had heard a
noise, as of footsteps overhead.

"Somebody is up there!" whispered Jack.

"It must be the fellow we are after!" returned Pepper. "What shall we do
next, go after him?"

"Yes, but we had better try to arm ourselves."

"I've got the fork."

"I'll take this," said Jack, picking up a bronze ornament from the
mantelpiece.

Hardly daring to breathe, the two cadets stole from the dining-room to
the hall and prepared to mount the stairs. As they did this they heard
more footsteps, this time in the rear of the upper floor of the mansion.

"There he goes, Jack!"

"Sounds as if he was going to try to get out the back way!"

"Hi, there, stop!" called Pepper, at the top of his voice. "Stop, you
rascal!"

"Don't you try to stop me!" was the reply from the upper hallway. "If
you do, it will be the worse for you!"

"Who is he?" asked Pepper, quickly. "I've heard that voice before."

"I think I know," answered his chum. "Come on, and we'll soon see if I
am right."

CHAPTER XXVI

WHAT THE CONSTABLE THOUGHT

Up the stairs went the two cadets, Jack leading the way. On the upper
landing they paused, for the sounds of footsteps had suddenly ceased.

"Which way did he go?" whispered Pepper.

"I don't know, Pepper. Go slow now, we don't want to walk into any
trap."

With caution the chums made their way to the back end of the hall. As
they did this a door close by came open and a cold draught of air met
the lads.

"This way!" cried Jack. "He has opened a window! That air comes from
outside!"

He rushed through the open door, to find himself in a bedroom. In an
alcove was a window and this was wide open. Beyond the window was the
top o