"I don't know, I'm sure I don't remember Dan's father. But that was Buddy Girk, beyond a doubt." All of the boys were considerably excited and wondered if it would be best to follow up the vanishing pair. "I'd do it if I was certain Dick was safe!" cried Tom. "I'm going to hunt for him," he added, and before the others could stop him he entered the tenement. He stumbled around the lower hallway for several minutes and then called out softly: "Dick! Dick! Where are you?" No answer came back, and he continued his search. Then, lighting a match, he mounted the rickety stairs and called out again. "Phat are ye a-raisin' such a row about?" demanded an Irish voice suddenly, and a front room door was thrown open. "Can't ye let a dasent family slape?" "I'm looking for my brother," replied Tom. "Sorry to disturb you. Have you seen anything of him?" "Sure an' I don't know yer brother from the side av sole leather, b'y. Go 'long an' let me an' me family slape," replied the Irishman. "I've got to find my brother, sir. I'm afraid he has met with foul play. He came to see the men who just went out." "Oh, is that so now? Foul play, is it? I thought them newcomers was up to no good. I heard 'em carryin' on in their room a while ago." "Which room is it, please?" "There ye are--the wan on the lift. Is the dure open?" Tom tried the door. "No, it's locked--the two men just went out." He raised his voice. "Dick! Where are you? Dick!" "If yez call like that yez will have the wholt tiniment aroused," said the Irishman. "An' it's' a bad crowd on the nixt flure, I kin tell ye that." "I can't help it--I am bound to find my brother," replied Tom desperately. Disappearing for a moment, the Irishman came out half dressed and with a lighted candle in his hand. By this time Sam and Frank had followed Tom to the upper floor. Soon several men and women put in an appearance, including Dutch Jake. "Who vos dot poy you vos look for?" asked the aged German. "Vos he der von vot was standin' by dis door apout an hour ago?" "I guess so," said Tom. "Dem mans vot got dis room open der door und took him inside." "Took him inside!" burst out Sam and Tom simultaneously. "Yah," replied Dutch Jake, but failed to add that he had had anything to do with the capture. "Von of dem say dot poy vos stole some money alretty." "It was a cock-and-bull story to make him a prisoner," said Tom. "I'm going to find him if I can," and he threw himself on the door with all of his strength. At first the barrier refused to budge, but when Sam and Frank also pushed, it gave way with a bang, hurling the trio to the floor inside. By this time the excitement had been communicated to the next tenement in which lived Caleb Yates, the landlord of the two buildings. Yates, a sour-minded old man, lost no time dressing and coming over, armed with a nightstick. "What does this disturbance mean?" he demanded in a high-pitched voice. "Who broke this door in?"