“That does have an ugly sound,” said Vic, with a dismal grimace. “And there’s an ugly penalty,” added her sister. “So that settles it, Jerry,” said Badger. “We’ll keep Carter right here till we know just what we’re up against.” “Well, that’s good enough for me if ’tis for you,” said Conley indifferently. “Are you sure his bonds are secure?” “If he loosens any of those knots, Amos, I’ll eat the ropes,” was the confident rejoinder. “To-morrow we’ll take steps to make him open his mouth, and tell all he knows.” “What steps?” “I’ll find a way, let me alone for that.” “Meantime——” began Vic. “No more here,” interposed Badger. “It’s too infernally damp and cold. Go back to the house, you two women, and I’ll presently join you there. I’ll first make sure that things here are all safe.” “All right, Amos.” The two women withdrew from the vault, Nick following them with his gaze. The two men remained, and both now proceeded to make doubly sure that the ropes binding Nick’s arms and limbs were securely knotted. Not a word was spoken. The work required less than a minute, and Badger then took up the lantern and signed for Conley to go out ahead. At the door of the vault, however, Badger turned back for a moment, to say, with vicious assurance: “If it is to be one of us who must go down and out, Carter, it will be you! Take my word for that!” For a moment Nick gazed sternly at him across the dismal place, then coldly retorted: “Since I have only your word for it, Badger, I feel perfectly safe!” Badger vented a half-smothered growl, then closed the heavy door with a resounding bang. Nick heard the shooting of bolts and the sound of a bar dropped into place. Then all was silence for a time—silence and darkness! CHAPTER XIV. SHADOWS AND SHADOWED. “Thundering guns!” muttered Patsy. “He’d be an ugly cur to meet in the dark.” Chick Carter gazed in the direction indicated. The two detectives were comfortably seated on a log in the midst of a cluster of shrubbery. The shrubbery formed a part of the scrub and bushes skirting the woodland back of the extensive Badger estate. Nearly a hundred yards away was the stable, a side view, with the long carriage-house adjoining, as previously described. Fifty yards beyond was the Badger dwelling, rear elevation, with the back door and windows in plain sight, as well as part of one of the side verandas. The intervening ground was clear of trees, and nothing obstructed the view of the two watching detectives. They were executing Nick’s command given them that morning, that of learning what they could about the Badger place without being seen. They had already measured it from in front, and had arrived at their present vantage-point about half an hour before, bent upon watching till they were reasonably assured as to the number of servants in the house and stable.