Frank laid the package in his hand, and as the latter turned his eyes down to look at the package, Frank seized him about the throat with both hands. Jack picked up a strong piece of cord from the floor, and bound the man's hands securely, while Frank kept him from making an outcry. Making a gag of his handkerchief, he stuffed it into the man's mouth in such a way that it was impossible for him to utter a sound. Then they laid him behind the counter on the floor. "Now we shall see what we can hear," said Frank. He approached the door to the next room noiselessly, Jack close at his heels. For a few minutes they waited in silence, but there was no sound from the adjoining room. At last Frank ventured to peer in. He stepped back in astonishment. "Gone!" he exclaimed. "Gone," repeated Jack. "Yes; and I would like to know where." "Let's go in and see." Their hands rested upon their revolvers as they advanced into the room and looked about. From one end to the other they searched, when as they were about to give up, Frank discovered a door behind some old barrels in the far corner. "Here is where they went," he whispered. He tried the door, and it gave way before him, though not until he had used considerable force. A pair of stairs, going down, confronted them. "Shall we go down or not?" asked Frank, turning to Jack. "Suit yourself," was the reply. "I'm with you either way." Without another word Frank turned about and began to descend the stairs, taking care to make no noise. Jack followed him. At the bottom, where it was pitch dark, they brought up against a second door, and making sure that his revolvers were ready for instant use, Frank pushed it gently. It swung open. Seated about a table were the figures of four men. Fortunately for the boys, perhaps, their backs were toward the door, and they did not see it open. Motioning to Jack to follow, Frank crept in quietly and as quietly sank behind a pile of old boxes in the nearest corner. Jack did likewise, and the two made themselves as comfortable as possible, without making a sound, for there was no telling how long they might have to remain there. Kneeling, Jack poked up his head until he could just see over the top of the barrel. One of the men made some remark, but it was in Russian, and neither lad could understand what he said. No sooner had he spoken, however, than a second man turned on him angrily. "I thought we had agreed to speak English," he said. "Of course it makes no difference here, but practice is good for you. Unless you get used to speaking English you are likely to make a slip the first thing you know in some place where it will spoil everything." "You are right," said the first speaker. "I shall try to be more careful." "See that you do," growled the second speaker. "Well," said a third voice, "this thing seems to be all right. Now about the time."