"Where did you get this?" he demanded. "Tell us what it says," urged Mr. Cook. "This is certainly remarkable," said Karl, though by this time he had partly regained control of himself. "He won't read it, I bet," said Heinrich fiercely. "Keep quiet, Heinrich!" exclaimed Mr. Cook sharply. "Karl is a good American; of course he'll read. Won't you, Karl?" "Certainly I will," said Karl easily. He had entirely recovered his composure now. He had just opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by a volley of shots outside. Instantly everything was in confusion. Every one made a rush for the door and as it was yanked open a piercing shriek rent the air. CHAPTER XXV A STRUGGLE IN THE DARK The woman's scream was so full of terror, so agonized, and so blood-curdling that for a moment the mad rush out of the door was halted. Every one stopped short in horror and amazement. Sergeant Riley was the first to regain his senses. "Come on!" he shouted and plunged out into the night. Close at his heels followed the others. That is, all except Heinrich; he dashed into the room adjoining the office and remained there unnoticed. The air was filled with shouts and cries. Men ran hither and thither, black shapes flitting up and down like shadows. "Spread out!" shouted Sergeant Riley. "Circle the factory and don't let any one escape." Bob and Hugh unconsciously kept close together in spite of the sergeant's orders. One end of the factory was situated on the shore of the Molton River, and toward the river bank the two boys made their way. "What a scream that was," shuddered Hugh. "Awful," cried Bob, and then he tripped over something lying on the ground, and pitched forward headlong on his face. A moment later he had regained his feet. "What tripped you?" demanded Hugh. "Look!" said Bob, shivering as he spoke. He pointed to a misshapen heap of something lying on the ground at his feet. "It was soft, like a body." "The woman who screamed," cried Hugh in terror. "Strike a match." "I haven't got one." "We must pick her up and carry her into the office." "But she may be dead." "Suppose she is," exclaimed Bob. "We've got to do it just the same." "This is terrible," cried Hugh. "Can't we get some one to do it for us?" "Every one is busy." "Where's Karl?" "He's busy, too. Come on, Hugh, we must do it. If she's not dead now she may die while we stand here and talk about it." Hugh braced himself for the task. They could distinguish the vague outlines of the woman's form, as Bob stationed himself at her head and Hugh grasped her feet. "All ready," said Bob. "Lift her up." "Suppose we are attacked while we're carrying her." "Lift her up, will you?" demanded Bob angrily. "What's the matter with you, Hugh?"