"Or if only Tom has captured Tad Sobber.

This is getting lively, to say the least." The men were now speaking in a lower tone and he put his ear to the keyhole, to catch what they might say.

Then, of a sudden, the door opened and he found himself confronted by Shelley.
"Thought I heard somebody in the hall!" cried that individual, and grabbed Dick by the arm.
"Let go!" answered the youth and tried to break away.

But Cuffer came to Shelley's assistance, and between them the two men dragged the boy into the room and shut the door after him.

Dick struggled vigorously even when in the apartment until Cuffer caught up an empty water pitcher and flourished it over his head.
"Make another move and I'll knock you senseless with this!" he exclaimed and the look on his face showed he meant what he said.
Seeing his captors were too powerful for him, Dick subsided and was forced into a chair in a corner.
"Been listening to all our talk, I suppose," said Cuffer, uglily.