At first both boys could see but little, for the room they had entered was semi-dark, while outside the sun was shining brightly. But gradually their eyes became accustomed to the gloom and then they made out a staircase running to a floor above. “Where is he?” demanded Sam, catching the _volante_ driver by the arm. “Him up de stairs, señor. Better air up dare.” “I should hope so,” muttered Darry and bounded up the stone steps two at a time. Sam came on his heels, but the Cuban remained below. There was something of a hallway, dirty and covered with dead leaves which past storms had blown into the barred slits of windows. Then came a room with an iron door which stood half open. Just then a moan reached their ears and it appeared to come from the room. Thinking Hockley must be within they rushed past the iron door. “Jake, are you here?” called out Sam. There was another moan, but where it came from puzzled both of the lads. “Jake, where are you?” exclaimed Darry. “We are here to help you, Sam and I.” Both moved forward, peering eagerly to the right and the left. There were only two windows, each heavily barred, and they were far from large. Suddenly the boys heard the iron door shut and an instant later a heavy bolt was slipped into place. Sam leaped back and shook the barrier, to find it fast. “We are locked in!” he ejaculated. “Darry, this is a trick!” “A trick!” gasped the other. He too shook the door. “Hi! let us out!” he called. “Not just yet, my fine young fellows!” came in a strangely familiar voice. “I did not bring you as far as this just for fun.” “Why, it is Captain Sudlip!” exclaimed Sam, who could scarcely believe his ears. “Captain Sudlip, is that you?” called Darry. “It is.” “Where is Jake Hockley?” “He is not far off.” “Is he really hurt, or was it only a trick to get us here?” “I’m not answering all your questions just yet,” returned the ex-master of the _Chester_, tartly. “If you brought us here on a fool’s errand you shall pay for it,” said Sam. “You had better not threaten me while you are prisoners.” “Prisoners!” came from both. “Do you intend to keep us prisoners?” demanded Sam. “For the present, yes.” “What for?” “To pay you back for your impudence on board of my steamer, for one thing.” “We weren’t impudent. We merely stood up for our rights, and for the rights of that negro you misused.” “I won’t argue the point with you--at least not now.” “What are you going to do?” “Going to get back my rights. I know all about that paper your crowd gave to my second mate. That paper was a mess of lies and I’m not going to stand for it.” “We simply put down the truth, Captain Sudlip,” answered Sam, firmly. “And if you don’t let us go at once you’ll get yourself into a worse situation than ever.”