"What did you hear?" demanded several of the others.
"I thought I heard somebody walking around upstairs. There it is again!"
All gave attention, and heard the unmistakable sounds of footsteps on the stairs leading to the second story.
"Who is up there?" called out Dick, and turned to leave the cellar, followed by his brothers and chums.
"Stay where you are!" came back in a harsh voice. "Don't any of you dare to come out of that cellar!"
"It is Merrick!" burst out Tom.
Hardly had he spoken when they heard a door shut sharply and a bolt dropped into place. Then the footsteps retreated.
"He has shut the door to the cellar!" cried Dick, flashing the light upward. "We are locked in!"
"Hark! I heard more than one person running from the house," said Larry.
"That Pike must be with him."
"Or else Tad Sobber."
As quickly as he could, Dick ran up the old stairs and tried the door. It was in fairly good condition and refused to budge.
"Smash it down!" called out Tom, and went to his brother's assistance.
