"He'll be about here somewhere," whispered Higgins, a needless precaution, as their advance had been already heralded by their heavy foot-falls. "There's a light there," said Storg, pointing to the end of a long hall. Coming from under a door could be seen a faint gleam. "That's where he is!" exclaimed Higgins. "Come on!" Larry followed the officers. Their steps echoed through the silent building. Forward they went until they came to the door beneath which the light showed. Higgins tried the knob. The portal was locked. "Let us in! We're police officers!" he exclaimed. There was a rustling within the room, but no attempt was made to open the door. "Open or we'll break it in!" cried Higgins, and, as there was no answer, but only silence, he put his big shoulder to the frail door. There was a crackling sound, a splintering of wood and the hinges gave way. Higgins fairly jumped into the room as the portal fell in. Storg followed after him, with his hand on his revolver, ready to use it should occasion arise. But there was no need, for the room was deserted, though a candle burning on a mantel showed there had recently been an occupant in it. "He's gone!" cried Higgins, looking around. At that moment there was a sound in the corridor, and somewhere along its length a door opened. "He's getting away!" yelled Storg, as he jumped back into the hallway. Larry followed, and the policeman flashed his electric lamp. Then, in the little circle of light cast from the glass bullseye, Larry saw, running down the stairs, the smooth-shaven man he had helped pull from the angry sea on the life-raft. "There he goes! Catch him!" cried Storg, as he clattered down the stairs after the fugitive. CHAPTER XV LARRY'S SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT "Hold on! Stop!" yelled Higgins, running from the room. "Halt, or I'll shoot!" It would have done little good had he done so, for by this time the mysterious man was in the second hallway, and out of reach of any possible bullets. "You stay here and look after things, I'll catch him!" called Storg, as he raced down the stairs, his light making erratic circles as he advanced. "I guess that's good advice," commented Higgins to Larry, who had remained in the upper corridor. "I'm too fat to run. Let's see what he left behind." Back into the room, where the candle was burning, went Larry and the policeman. A quick survey showed nothing unusual. There were some old chairs and a table, left probably by the departed tenants. "He must have had the run of several rooms," Higgins went on. "He came out of some apartment farther down the hall, and that's how he fooled us. He was on the watch, and that shows there must be something queer about him." "Let's take a look through the other rooms," suggested Larry.