"He doesn't seem to be at home," remarked Ned, as they descended and
approached the dwelling.
"No, and it looks quite deserted," agreed the young inventor. "Say, all
the doors are open, too! He shouldn't go away and leave his house open
like that--with the valuable platinum there."
"Maybe he's asleep," suggested Ned.
They knocked on the opened door, but there was no answer. Then they went
inside. To their surprise the house was in confusion. Furniture was
overturned, tables and chairs were broken, and papers were scattered
about the room.
"There's been a fight here!" cried Tom.
"That's right," agreed Ned. "Maybe he's been hurt--maybe burglars came
for the platinum!"
"Come on!" cried Tom, making a dash for the stairs. "We'll see if he's
here."
The house was small, and it took but a moment to show that Mr. Petrofsky
was not there. Upstairs, as below, was the same confusion--the
overturned furniture and the papers scattered about.
Tom stooped and picked up a scrap that looked like a piece torn from a
letter. On top was a seal--the black seal of Russia--the imperial arms
of the Czar!
"Look!" cried Tom, holding out the paper.
"What is it?" asked Ned.
"The hand of the Czar!" answered his chum. "It has reached out from
Russia, and taken Mr. Petrofsky away!"
CHAPTER IV
THE SEARCH
For a moment Ned could scarcely understand what Tom meant.
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