9Dick and Plug felt their way restlessly around the empty house, listening at the apertures. The air had the flatness of a long closed place. It smelt of dust and plaster. There is no denying the fact that the breasts of both young men were heavily oppressed by fear. They suspected that this refuge of theirs was more likely to prove a trap than a fortress; they would have given a good deal to be out under the stars. They could hear nothing. Millicent remained leaning against the wall in the kitchen.
In the doorway between hall and pantry the two young men collided with each other. Each recoiled with a sharp gasp; then they laughed weakly.
“This will never do,” whispered d**k. “We’ll be fighting with our shadows directly. Stand still until you hear something.”
“They must have left their
