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.